Chapter 23 - Chaining

Question 1

backward chaining

Answer 1

A teaching procedure in which a trainer completes all but the last behavior in a chain, which is performed by the learner, who them receives reinforcement for completing the chain. When the learner shows competence in performing the final step in the chain, the trainer performs all but the last two behaviors in the chain, the learner emits the final two steps to complete the chain, and reinforcement is delivered. This sequence is continued until the learner completes the entire chain independently.

Question 2

backward chaining with leap aheads

Answer 2

A backward chaining procedure in which some steps in the task analysis are skipped; used to increase the efficiency of teaching long behavior chains when there is evidence that the skipped steps are in the learner’s repertoire.

Question 3

behavior chain

Answer 3

A sequence of responses in which each response produces a stimulus change that functions as conditioned reinforcement for that response and as a discriminative stimulus for the next response in the chain; reinforcement for the last response in the chain maintains the reinforcing effectiveness of the stimulus changes produced by all previous responses in the chain.

Question 4

behavior chain interruption strategy

Answer 4

An intervention that relies on the participant’s skill to initially perform all the critical elements of a chain independently, but the chain is then interrupted, or a link in the chain is made unavailable at a predetermined time, so that another behavior can be prompted or emitted.

Question 5

behavior chain with a limited hold

Answer 5

A contingency that specifies a time interval by which a behavior chain must be completed for reinforcement to be delivered

Question 6

chaining

Answer 6

Various methods for linking specific sequences of stimuli and responses to form new performances.

Question 7

forward chaining

Answer 7

A method for teaching behavior chains that begins with the learner being prompted and taught to perform the first behavior in the task analysis; the trainer completes the remaining steps in the chain. When the learner shows competence in performing the first step in the chain, he is then taught to perform the first two behaviors in the chain, with the training completing the chain. This process is continued until the learner completes the entire chain independently.

Question 8

interruption chain procedure

Answer 8

A procedural variation of the behavior chain interruption strategy, entails arranging the environment such that the learner is unable to continue the chain at a predetermined point until responding to a prompt (e.g., “What do you want?”)

Question 9

task analysis

Answer 9

The process of breaking a complex skill or series of behaviors into smaller, teachable units; also refers to the results of this process.

Question 10

total-task chaining

Answer 10

A variation of forward chaining in which the learner receives training on each behavior in the chain during each session.

Question 11

unchaining

Answer 11

Occurs when, in the case of a two-step chain, the second behavior in the chain (R2) produces reinforcement in the presence of the prior SD (S2), but R2 also produces reinforcement when that SD is not present. Unchaining may weaken a chain.