Counter-habilitative contingencies in institutions for people with mental retardation: ecological and regulatory influences

Abstract

Different levels of influence result in contingencies of reinforcement that can affect the behavior of staff members and residents in facilities for people with mental retardation. Although the intent of any residential facility is surely habilitation, some types of influence result in contingencies of reinforcement that do not promote adaptive behavior by residents, that is, are counter-habilitative. Some of the conceptual issues involved in understanding the operation of these contingencies in complex caregiving environments were discussed. Preliminary data gathered from one highly specialized residential facility were used to illustrate the influence of social, ecological, and regulatory contingencies that could have a counter-habilitative impact on residents. We concluded that a close examination of all levels of influence affecting institutions, their staff, and residents will be necessary if better progress is to be made towards adequately serving the needs of people who live in institutional settings.