Episode 68 of the Becoming Centered Podcast expands on the topic of how to design interventions targeted at changing performative surface behaviors versus interventions designed to inspire inner systemic changes in how kids manage their emotions, adopt self-regulating beliefs and values, and consciously manage relationships with others.  The key design difference is whether or not a point system, coupon system, token economy, or other forms of behavior contracts track observable behaviors or try to track the kids’ efforts at self-directed change.

This episode examines the profound differences between behavior-management systems and feedback-incentive systems.  On the surface these two structures look similar to one another, both involving kids getting some type of score based on staff observations and then rewarding them for attaining some goal number.  However, when designed and implemented properly these interventions are fundamentally different. 

Behavior-Management interventions track observable behaviors in an attempt to condition improved behaviors.  Feedback-Incentive interventions get kids invested in implementing feedback and then making more pro-social choices.  One is targeted at specific behaviors.  The other is a cognitive intervention designed to engage kids in making real effort to manage their own development.  Understanding this difference is key to designing these essential tools for effective residential treatment of children and youth.