Generalization and Maintenance

Question 1

what is generalization?

Answer 1

behaviour occurs in the presence of an SD that is SIMILAR to the one used in TRAINING

(i.e. behaviour change exists beyond training program)

Question 2

What are the 3 kinds of generalization of a target behaviour?

Answer 2

1. response maintenance
2. transfer of behaviour across situations and settings
3. response generalization

Question 3

what is response maintenace?

Answer 3

maintaining the target behaviour after the training program has ended

Question 4

what is transfer of behaviour across situations and settings?

Answer 4

target behaviour occurs in different settings and circumstances

Question 5

what is response generalization?

Answer 5

changing the target behaviour results in CHANGES IN SIMILAR OR RELATED BEHAVIOURS

Question 6

what is the spillover effect?

Answer 6

aka response generalization; changing target behaviour will change related or similar behaviours

Question 7

Explain the “train and hope” generalization process.

Answer 7

after the training program, just HOPE THAT GENERALIZATION (and maintenance) of the target behaviour OCCURS

Question 8

What are the 3 general categories of generalization strategies?

Answer 8

1. exploit NATURAL CONTINGENCIES
2. train DIVERSELY
3. incorporate FUNCTIONAL MEDIATORS

Question 9

what does it mean to “exploit natural contingencies”?

Answer 9

use antecedents and consequences that are in the person’s natural environment (everyday life)

Question 10

what does it mean to “train diversely”?

Answer 10

during the training program, use variations of the ABCs

Question 11

what does it mean to “incorporate functional mediators”?

Answer 11

use an SD to prompt the behaviour between training and generalization

Question 12

what is a behavioural trap? provide an example

Answer 12

generalization strategy

a behaviour that has been developed by PROGRAMMMED reinforcers is “trapped”/maintained by NATURAL reinforcers

e.g. target behaviour is reading; person likes to make cookies –> behavioural trap = read a cookie recipe book

Question 13

What are the 5 steps to setting a behavioural trap?

Answer 13

1. identify your PREY (target behaviour)
2. find some powerful BAIT (reinforcer)
3. set the TRAP (place the materials in the person’s path)
4. MAINTAIN trap line (use a variety of reinforcers)
5. APPRAISE your catch (modify trap if it didn’t work)

Question 14

True or False: generalization procedures work best when you switch from a continuous to an intermittent schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 14

TRUE

Question 15

What is in situ training?

Answer 15

training occurs in the natural environment after an in situ assessment in which the UNAWARE person does NOT PERFORM THE TARGET BEHAVIOUR

note: in situ assessment –> person is unaware that they are begin assessed

Question 16

why did the “Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program” fail?

Answer 16

there was no in situ training

Question 17

what is general case training/programming? what does general case mean?

Answer 17

use a range of ANTECDENTS (stimuli) and RESPONSES (consequences)

note: general case = target behaviour that occurs beyond the training situation

Question 18

what are the 4 steps of implementing a generalization strategy?

Answer 18

1. identify TARGET STIMULUS/SITUATIONS for the behaviour
2. identify NATURAL CONTINGENCIES of reinforcement
3. implement GENERALIZATION STRATEGY
4. MEASURE GENERALIZATION of behaviour change (using generalization probes)

Question 19

what is a booster program?

Answer 19

additional intervention sessions that RESTORE THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM’S TRAINING

Question 20

what are generalization probes?

Answer 20

method of measuring generalization of a behaviour change

trials that check whether the person performs the behaviour with relevant context

Question 21

True or False: generalizing the reduction of a problem behaviour should be focused on differential reinforcement of an alternative behaviour (DRA)

Answer 21

TRUE

Question 22

how to promote generalization?

Answer 22

reinforce behavior when generalization is occurring
- reinforce outside of training situation

Question 23

what happens when the trainer is not able to reinforce occurrences of generalization and there are no existing natural contingencies of reinforcement?

Answer 23

generalization may be promoted by modifying contingencies of reinforcement

Question 24

what are stimulus exemplars?

Answer 24

stimuli representing range of relevant stimuli situations in which response is to occur after training - promotes generalization

Question 25

functionally equivalent responses

Answer 25

• different responses that achieve the same outcome
• each response serves same function for the person

Question 26

whats another strategy to promote generalization?

Answer 26

provide cues or reminders in natural enviro to make target more likely to occcur

Question 27

self-generated mediator of generalization

Answer 27

behavior that makes it more likely that one will perform the target behavior at the right time
- self-instruction is used to cue the right behavior at the right time -> ex: self-recording, self-instruction

Question 28

how to achieve generalized reduction in problem behavior?

Answer 28

• functionally equivalent alternative behaviors as replacements for problem behavior

Question 29

what are the guidelines to achieve generalized reduction?

Answer 29

1. conduct functional assessment of problem behavior
2. plan for generalization in advance
3. focus on functionally equivalent alternative behaviors to replace problem behaviors
4. maintain extinction or punishment contingencies across situations and over time