If one or more students sabotage a group contingency, how should the teacher respond?

In situations where one or more students may be sabotaging a group contingency, the appropriate response is to intervene immediately. This approach allows the teacher to address the behavior before it escalates or contributes to a disruption in the group dynamic. Intervening promptly can help maintain the integrity of the group contingency and ensures that all students understand the importance of collaboration and cooperation.

Allowing students to resolve the issue themselves might not be beneficial in this context, as younger or less experienced students may not have the skills or maturity required to resolve conflicts effectively. Ignoring the situation could lead to further sabotage and negatively impact the group, while reinforcing the saboteurs would send the wrong message about acceptable behavior. Therefore, immediate intervention is essential to guide students towards appropriate behavior and reinforce the group's goals.