Additional Application:
The One-Party Behavioral Contract in a
Transition Services Setting

 

One-Party Contracts

In a one-party contract (also called a unilateral contract), one individual seeks to change a target behavior and arranges reinforcement or punishment contingencies with a contract manager who implements the contingencies. A one-party contract is used when the individual wants to (a) increase desirable behaviorsCsuch as exercise, studying or other school-related behaviors, good eating habits, or work-related behaviors, or (b) decrease undesirable behaviors, such as overeating, nail-biting, excessive TV watching, or tardiness for class or work. The contract manager may be a teacher, counselor, or other helping professional. Alternatively, the contract manager may be a friend or family member who agrees to carry out the terms of the contract.

One-party contracts are ideal for transition settings, where a client is moving from a school to a vocational setting requiring considerable independence and self-evaluation. In such a setting, the following sequence would be appropriate.

1. The vocational counselor or "job coach" encourages the client to do a self-evaluation of behavior required for independence and success in the workplace.

2. With coaching, the client selects an appropriate behavior or behaviors to change.

3. With coaching, the client identifies objective measures of the behavior.

4. With coaching, the client identifies target changes in the behavior, with frequencies and timelines clearly and objectively identified.

5. With coaching, the client identifies:

a. A meaningful, positive consequence, e.g., continued rental of weekend videos, or

b. Withholding a reinforcer, e.g., placing a favorite CD in the possession of the coach for a specific period of time.

6. Using the client's specifications, a contract is drawn up and signed by the client and a "contract manager." This contract manager is the person assigned to objectively monitor behavior and ensure that consequences are adhered to.

The outcomes of such one-party contracting should be specific changes in the selected behaviors and increased practice in personal self-management skills. Over time, the coaching should be systematically and progressively faded as the client's independence in evaluating and modifying personal and vocational behavior increases.