Contingency Map

What is a contingency map?

A contingency map — often called a consequence map — is a simple visual that shows a learner the link between a behaviour and what follows it: if I do this, then that happens. Mapping the appropriate behaviour and the problem behaviour side by side makes the better choice, and its better payoff, explicit. Build the map above, then print it or save it as a PDF to use as a teaching visual.

Contingency maps work because they make reinforcement visible and predictable. They are most effective when the replacement behaviour is genuinely easier or more reliable than the problem behaviour at producing the same outcome — which is why identifying the function of the behaviour first matters.

How to use a consequence map

Start with the situation or antecedent. Branch into the two paths — the expected behaviour and the behaviour you want to reduce — and show the consequence at the end of each. Keep the language concrete and the visuals simple; the map is for the learner, not the file. Review it before the situation it describes, not in the middle of an incident.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a contingency map and a consequence map?

They describe the same tool. "Contingency map" is the term more common in behaviour analysis; "consequence map" is often used in schools. Both show the if-then relationship between a behaviour and its consequence.

When should I use a contingency map?

Use one when a learner benefits from seeing — rather than being told — why an appropriate behaviour is worth choosing. They pair well with a one-page behaviour plan and with explicitly taught replacement behaviours.

Is the contingency map template free to print?

Yes. Everything runs in your browser — build your map and use Print / Save as PDF. Nothing is uploaded or stored on a server.