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The Good Behavior Game: What is it, how does it work and what’s the science?

Posted on August 18, 2019 by Adrian McCune

The Good Behavior Game is a PBIS practice that has been around since 1969. It is considered a whole group, tier-one intervention in the PBIS process (meaning it is meant to be used with a whole class).

To play the Good Behavior Game, the teacher splits the class into two teams. When a team member shows an unexpected behavior, the team receives a point. The team with the LOWEST amount of points wins. If both teams come in under an agreed-upon threshold for points, then both teams get to share the reward.

Sounds easy enough! But there are some guidelines:

a) pick a lesson or short period of time during the day to play the game (works best during structured instruction times: math, science, social studies, etc)

b) don’t use the same lesson/time every day

c) Define the behaviors (for instance, out of seat may be anyone who is out of their chair during the lesson except with permission, to sharpen a pencil, or get a tissue). Have your class help you define what unexpected behaviors are/look like. Keep the targeted behavior to 2 or 3 when playing the game.

d) identify reinforcers (no homework, extra recess, technology time, no shoes, first to lunch, etc.) Be creative! Think free and outside the box.

e) assign points consistently and avoid engaging in verbal arguments when points are awarded.

f) have a plan for saboteurs. Most of the research I have found on this suggests putting saboteurs on their own team.

It does sound easy, but does it work? Research says YES! It is based on the science of Behavioral Analysis. The Good Behavior Game is shown to be an effective intervention that reduces aggression, drug use, and crime among adolescents who played across their lifetime. It is also shown to improve academics and pro-social behaviors.

For more information on The Good Behavior Game:

https://goodbehaviorgame.air.org/index.html

https://www.goodbehaviorgame.org/

https://magazine.jhsph.edu/2018/good-behavior-game-classroom-management-strategy-lifetime-benefits

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274981909_The_Good_Behavior_Game_A_classroom-behavior_intervention_effective_across_cultures

https://www.abainsidetrack.com/home/2016/12/4/episode-21-the-good-behavior-game

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