Self-management "additives" for improving work productivity of mentally retarded workers in sheltered workshops

This study compared the effects of "typical" staff supervision to "typical" staff supervision plus one of two self-management strategies for improving work productivity of eight mentally retarded workers in a sheltered workshop. The first self-management strategy consisted of self monitoring plus one minute goal setting at the beginning of each half-day of work plus one minute of back-up social contigencies at the end of each half-day of work. The second self-management strategy was the same as that described above, plus a monetary bonus system for productivity. Procedural reliabilities were obtained on the components of the "typical" staff supervisory strategy and the self-management strategies. Both self-management strategies produced an increase in worker productivity, and there was little to recommend one over the other. Some limitations of existing research on self-management procedures for improving productivity of mentally retarded workers were discussed.