What Is a Contingency Contract?
A contingency contract, also called a behavioral contract, is a written document that specifies the if-then relationship between a behavior and its consequences. It clearly states what the individual must do (the target behavior), what will happen when they do it (the reinforcer), and any conditions or criteria that apply (timelines, quality standards, measurement procedures). The contract is signed by all parties, creating a formal agreement that promotes accountability.
Homme, Csanyi, Gonzales, and Rechs (1969) were among the first to describe the systematic use of contingency contracts in educational settings. Since then, contracts have been applied across clinical, educational, home, and vocational settings for behaviors ranging from academic performance to substance use to exercise adherence.
Essential Components of a Contingency Contract
Target Behavior
The contract must clearly define the target behavior in observable, measurable terms. Vague descriptions like "be good" or "try harder" are insufficient. Instead, specify "complete all assigned math problems with at least 80% accuracy" or "arrive at school by 8:00 AM each day." The behavior must be described precisely enough that both parties can agree on whether it has occurred.
Criteria for Performance
Specify the quality, quantity, or frequency of the behavior required to earn the consequence. This includes how many times the behavior must occur, the accuracy or quality standard, and the time frame within which it must occur. For example, "complete homework every school night, Monday through Thursday, by 8:00 PM."
Reinforcement
The contract specifies what the individual will earn for meeting the criteria. The reinforcer should be something the individual values and is willing to work for. Conduct a preference assessment or simply ask the individual what they would like to earn. Be specific: "30 minutes of video game time" is better than "a reward."
Timeline
Specify when the contract takes effect, when the behavior is evaluated, and when the reinforcer is delivered. Contracts with clear, short evaluation periods (daily or weekly) are generally more effective than those with distant evaluation dates. A contract that evaluates behavior weekly and delivers reinforcement on Friday is more motivating than one that evaluates behavior monthly.
Consequences for Not Meeting Criteria
Some contracts include what happens if the criteria are not met. This might involve response cost (losing a privilege), simply not earning the reinforcer, or a renegotiation process. Not all contracts require a penalty clause, but clarity about what happens when the criterion is not met prevents disputes.
Signatures
All parties sign the contract, indicating their agreement to the terms. For contracts involving children, both the child and the parent or teacher sign. The act of signing increases the individual's commitment to the agreement and provides a record that the terms were mutually understood.
Writing an Effective Contingency Contract
Step 1: Identify the Target Behavior Collaboratively
Involve the individual in selecting and defining the target behavior. Contracts are most effective when the individual participates in the process and feels ownership over the agreement. Ask what behaviors they want to work on and discuss why these behaviors matter.
Step 2: Negotiate the Terms
Both parties should agree on the criteria, the reinforcer, and the timeline. Negotiation ensures that the terms are fair and achievable. If the individual perceives the contract as one-sided or impossible, they are unlikely to engage with it. Start with criteria the individual can realistically meet, then gradually raise the bar in subsequent contract revisions.
Step 3: Write the Contract in Clear Language
Use simple, direct language that the individual can understand. Avoid jargon or legalese. A contract for a 10-year-old should be written at a level a 10-year-old can comprehend. For individuals with limited literacy, use picture-based contracts or read the contract aloud and discuss it before signing.
Step 4: Include a Bonus Clause
Consider adding a bonus clause for exceeding the criteria. For example, "If you complete homework every night this week (5 out of 5 nights), you earn an additional 30 minutes of weekend screen time." Bonus clauses increase motivation and reward exceptional performance.
Step 5: Display the Contract
Post the signed contract in a visible location (on the refrigerator, on the individual's desk, or as a phone wallpaper). The visual reminder serves as an antecedent prompt and keeps the contingency salient.
Step 6: Review and Revise Regularly
Contingency contracts should be living documents. Review the contract at each evaluation period. If the individual is consistently meeting the criteria, raise the bar. If they are consistently failing, the criteria may be too stringent or the reinforcer may not be motivating enough. Revise and re-sign as needed.
Applications
Home Settings
Parents and children can contract around chores, homework, screen time, bedtime compliance, and sibling interactions. Contracts help structure expectations and reduce conflicts by making the contingencies explicit and agreed upon in advance.
Educational Settings
Teachers and students can contract around academic performance, attendance, classroom behavior, and assignment completion. Group contracts can be used with entire classrooms.
Clinical Settings
Contingency contracts have been used in substance abuse treatment, weight management, exercise programs, and adherence to medical regimens. The contract formalizes the individual's commitment to behavior change and provides structure for reinforcement delivery.
Common Mistakes
- Criteria that are too demanding initially: Start with achievable criteria and build up. Early success is essential for establishing the individual's confidence in the system.
- Delayed reinforcement delivery: Deliver the reinforcer as close to the evaluation period as possible. Delayed delivery weakens the contingency.
- One-sided contracts: If the contract only benefits one party (usually the adult), the individual has no reason to comply. Both parties should perceive the contract as fair.
- Failing to follow through: If the adult does not deliver the reinforcer when the individual meets the criteria, trust is broken and future contracts will be ineffective.
BCBA Exam Relevance
Contingency contracts may appear on the BCBA exam in questions about behavior change procedures, reinforcement systems, and applied interventions. Be prepared to identify the essential components of a contract, evaluate the quality of a contract from a clinical vignette, and describe when contingency contracts are appropriate relative to other reinforcement systems like token economies. Understand both the strengths and limitations of contracts as a behavior change tool.