What is the name of the contingency in which reinforcement for all members of a group depends on the behavior of one member or a subset within the group?

• A. Dependent Group Contingency/Hero Procedure
• B. Independent Group Contingency
• C. Intermittent Reinforcement Schedule
• D. Punishment Schedule

Answer: (A)

Dependent group contingency, also known as the hero procedure, is when reinforcement for everyone in the group depends on the performance of one member or a subset within the group. This setup uses the behavior of a targeted individual to drive group outcomes, so peers are motivated to support and monitor that member’s behavior. For example, if the designated student stays on task, the whole class earns a reward; if that student doesn’t meet the criterion, the group does not receive reinforcement. This differs from an independent group contingency, where each student’s reinforcement depends on their own behavior, not someone else’s; and from an interdependent group contingency, where the group earns reinforcement only if all members meet the group criterion.