Use and analysis of the "Good Behavior Game" to reduce disruptive classroom behavior.

Harris et al. (1973) tested the Good Behavior Game in two classrooms.

They split each class into teams. Teams won if they kept talking and out-of-seat behavior low.

Winners got small prizes like extra recess. The researchers counted how often kids broke the rules.

Disruptive talking and out-of-seat behavior dropped in both rooms.

Accuracy on school work only moved a little where it was checked.

The game worked without fancy tools or big costs.

Duncan et al. (1972) ran the same game one year earlier and saw almost zero disruptions. Their data give a direct replication stamp of approval.

Gulboy et al. (2025) moved the game into inclusive middle-school rooms with kids with and without special needs. They show the trick still works fifty years later.

Hursh et al. (1974) layered rules, feedback, and group plus individual prizes. Their fuller package hints that adding pieces after the basic game can lock in the gains.

You can start the Good Behavior Game on Monday. Pick teams, post the rules, and pick a tiny prize. It cuts disruption fast and needs no extra staff. Use it in gen-ed, special-ed, or mixed classes.