The Effects of the Good Behavior Game With General-Education High School Students

Abstract.

The purpose of the present study was to extend previous research by evaluating the effect of the interdependent group contingency procedure known as the Good Behavior Game (GBG) on decreasing disruptive behaviors with general-education high school students. Although many studies exist that have used the GBG to alter behaviors across ages ranging from preschool to adulthood, few studies exist in which the GBG has been used in general-education high school classrooms. The present study used separate ABAB withdrawal designs in three classrooms, with withdrawal and reimplementation in two of the classrooms. All three classrooms demonstrated large effect sizes with clear and substantial decreases in disruptive behaviors during the intervention phases. Teachers found the intervention acceptable, supporting the use of a modified version of the GBG in high school classrooms. Students found it generally acceptable as well, though with some reservations regarding certain aspects of the procedure.

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rachel R. Mitchell

Rachel R. Mitchell, PhD, NCSP, works as the school psychologist for the Pascagoula Opportunity Center, the alternative school for the Pascagoula-Gautier School District. Her work within this setting includes coordination of system-wide supports; assessment of student need; and development, recommendation, implementation, and data analysis of group and individual interventions, as well as consultation with parents and school personnel regarding student progress and continued supports.

Daniel H. Tingstrom

Daniel H. Tingstrom, PhD, is professor of psychology and director of training of the School Psychology Program in the Department of Psychology at The University of Southern Mississippi. His research interests include applied behavior analysis, compliance training procedures for parents and teachers, and the implementation and evaluation of individual and classroom-based behavioral interventions.

Brad A. Dufrene

Brad A. Dufrene, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at The University of Southern Mississippi. His research interests include tiered school and family interventions for young children at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders and behavioral consultation in applied settings.

W. Blake Ford

W. Blake Ford, BS, is a graduate student in the School Psychology Program at The University of Southern Mississippi. His research interests include individual and classroom-based behavioral and academic interventions, social skills acquisition for children with autism spectrum disorders, applied behavior analysis, and compliance training for parents and teachers.

Heather E. Sterling

Heather E. Sterling, PhD, a licensed psychologist with Central Louisiana's Resource Center for Developmental Disabilities, provides behavioral support services to families, schools, care providers, and individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also is an adjunct instructor with Ball State's Applied Behavior Analysis Program.