ESTABLISHING BEHAVIORAL CONTRACTS WITH DELINQUENT ADOLESCENTS

• NCJ Number: 26232
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 28-32
• Author(s): R B RUTHERFORD
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THE ADVANTAGES OF USING BEHAVIORAL CONTRACTS TO CONTROL DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR AND PRESENTS A SYSTEM FOR ESTABLISHING BEHAVIORAL CONTRACTS AS AN AID TO PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND PROBATION OFFICERS.

Abstract

BEHAVIORAL CONTRACTING INVOLVES THE SYSTEMATIC NEGOTIATION BETWEEN A MEDIATOR (PARENT, TEACHER, SOCIAL WORKER, PROBATION OFFICER, UNIT COUNSELOR, OR SUPERVISOR) AND A TARGET (DELINQUENT ADOLESCENT) OF THE BEHAVIORS TO BE PERFORMED WITHIN A GIVEN ENVIRONMENT AND THE SPECIFIC REINFORCING CONSEQUENCES TO BE PROVIDED WHEN PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ARE MET. SUGGESTED ELEMENTS OF THE CONTRACT ARE LISTED. THESE INCLUDES: 1) A BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS OF THE BEHAVIOR TO BE CONTRACTED; 2) SPECIFICATION OF EACH CONDITION IN THE CONTRACT; 3) FAIR TREATMENT FOR BOTH THE CONTRACTOR AND CONTRACTEE; 4) EMPHASIS ON POSITIVE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT; 5) USE OF AN ARBITRATOR IN ESTABLISHING THE CONTRACT; 6) USE OF A WRITTEN CONTRACT SIGNED BY ALL CONCERNED PARTIES; AND 6) A LISTING OF BOTH THE CONSEQUENCES OF COMPLETION OF THE CONTRACTED BEHAVIOR AND THE CONSEQUENCES WHICH FOLLOW NONCOMPLETION. SEVERAL CASE STUDIES AND SAMPLE BEHAVIORAL CONTRACTS ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)