Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
Contingency Management
A behavioral intervention that provides tangible rewards for achieving specific behavioral goals or treatment milestones.
Full Definition
Contingency Management is an evidence-based behavioral intervention that systematically applies operant conditioning principles by providing immediate, tangible reinforcement for desired behaviors. Commonly used in substance abuse treatment, the approach typically involves earning vouchers, prizes, or other incentives for meeting treatment goals such as negative drug tests, therapy attendance, or medication compliance. The effectiveness relies on the immediacy and magnitude of reinforcement relative to competing reinforcers.
Usage
Usage note: Should not be confused with general case management services.
In Context
- "The contingency management protocol offered escalating voucher values for consecutive clean urine samples." — Substance abuse treatment manual
- "Contingency management significantly improved treatment retention compared to standard care alone." — Meta-analysis report
Also known as
voucher-based reinforcement
incentive-based treatment
Contrasted with
punishment-based intervention
Don't confuse with
case management
crisis management