Abstract
Study objective : To examine effects of interdependent, group-oriented contingencies on cleaning behaviors of students in an elementary school. Design : An ABAB design and an AB design, in combination with a multiple baseline design. Setting : Regular classes of a public elementary school. Participants : Students in 2 fifth-grade classes (23 and 24 students, respectively). Intervention : Students who were cleaning the same place were divided into 2 groups ; each group mutually evaluated the amount of litter. In order of this ranking, the groups could select their favorite place for cleaning next ; they were also given a sticker. If the class-wide points exceeded a set criterion, back-up reinforcers were given to all students in that class. Measure : Rate of engagement in cleaning behavior, the score on "cleaning level," and the time taken until all group members met at the cleaning place. Results : When the intervention was implemented, rates of engagement and cleaning-level scores increased, and the time until all group members met in the cleaning place decreased. Conclusion : Application of interdependent group-oriented contingencies to behavior management in this regular class setting was effective. We also verified social validity.
