Author

Monica Porter

Date of Award

12-1986

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Richard W. Malott

Second Advisor

Dr. Dale M. Brethower

Third Advisor

Dr. Alyce M. Dickinson

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This study analyzed the feasibility of implementing a performance- contracting program for black graduate students so they could achieve or maintain a grade-point average of a 3.0 or above. Students attended weekly contracting meetings where academic tasks and deadlines were identified and task completion was monitored. The total number of tasks assigned per student for the entire study ranged from 12 to 44, with a mean of 32.6. Task completion ranged from 42% to 100%, with a mean of 68.4%. Nine of the ten students achieved a semester grade point average of 3.0 or above, although the present study did not demonstrate that the contracting system was responsible for the grade point averages. Participants evaluated the program positively. This suggests that performance contracting is feasible for black graduate students.

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Psychology Commons

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