Topic 11: Chaining

Question 1

Behavioral Chain

Answer 1

a complex behavior consisting of two or more component behaviors that occur together in a sentence

for each component behavior, there is a discriminative stimulus and response

a behavioral chain is sometimes called a stimulus response chain

Question 2

Stimulus Response Chain

Answer 2

same as behavioral chain

Question 3

Task Analysis

Answer 3

identification of the discriminative stimulus and response for each component of a behavioral chain

Question 4

What are the different ways to conduct a task analysis?

Answer 4

observe a competent person engage in the task

ask an expert (a person who performs the task well)

perform the task yourself and record each of the component S^Ds and responses

Question 5

Chaining Procedures

Answer 5

procedures used to teach a person to engage in a chain of behaviors

includes backward chaining, forward chaining, total task presentation, written task analysis, picture prompts, and self-instructions

Question 6

Backward Chaining

Answer 6

a type of chaining procedure in which the last component of the chain is taught first

once the last response in the chain occurs consistently when the last discriminative stimulus is presented, the next to last component is taught, and the last two components of the chain occur togetehr

this training sequence proceeds until the client has learned all the components of the chain

Question 7

Forward Chaining

Answer 7

a procedure for teaching a chain of behaviors

the first component chain is taught through prompting and fading, and once the first component has been learned, the second component is added

once the first two components have been learned, the third component is added

this training sequence continues until all components of the chain are learned

Question 8

What are the similarities between forward and backward chaining?

Answer 8

both are used to teach a chain of behaviors

to use both procedures, you first have to conduct a task analysis that breaks down the chain into stimulus-response components

both teach one behavior (one component of the chain) at a time and chain the behaviors together

both procedures use prompting and fading to teach each component

Question 9

What are the differences between forward chaining and backward chaining?

Answer 9

forward chaining teaches the first component first, whereas backward chaining teaches the last component first

with backward conditioning, because you teach the last component first, the learner complete the chain in every learning trial and receives the natural reinforcer in every learning trial

in forward chaining, the learner does not complete the chain in every learning trial; artificial reinforcers are used until the last component of the chain is taught, the natural reinforcer occurs after the last behavior of the chain

Question 10

Total Task Presentation

Answer 10

a procedure for teaching a chain of behavior in which the trainer physically prompts the learner through all the steps in the chain

eventually, the trainer fades the physical prompts and shadows the learner’s movements as he or she completes the chain of behaviors

eventually, the learner completes the chain without any assistance from the trainer

Question 11

Graduated Guidance

Answer 11

a prompting strategy used with the total task presentation procedure in which you provide full hand-over-hand assistance as a prompt for the learner to complete the behavior

as the learner begins to engage in the behavior independently, you gradually fade your assistance but continue to shadow the learner’s movements so that you can provide assistance whenever it becomes necessary

eventually, the shadowing is eliminated, and the person engages in the behavior independently

Question 12

Written Task Analysis

Answer 12

a written list of each discriminative stimulus and response in a chain of behaviors

sometimes a written task analysis (also known as textual prompts) is given to the learner to guide the learner’s behavior through the chain of behaviors

Question 13

Picture Prompts

Answer 13

a type of prompt in which the client is presented with a picture of a person engaging in the target behavior

the picture acts as a prompt for the client to engage in the correct behavior at the correct time

Question 14

Video Modelling

Answer 14

a type of chaining procedure in which the learner watches a video of part or all of the chain of behaviors as a prompt to engage in the chain of behaviors

Question 15

Self-Instructions

Answer 15

self-statement that makes it more likely that a target behavior will occur in a specific situation

Question 16

What are behavioral chains?

Answer 16

complex behavior comprised of several component behaviors that occur together in a certain order

also called stimulus-response chain because each behavior produces a stimulus that acts as an S^D

final response is typically followed by reinforcement, although praise is often given for successful completion of a particular link in the chain

not all sequences of behavior are behavioral chains

Question 17

What is task analysis?

Answer 17

identifying all antecedent stimuli and response in the sequence that comprises a behavioral chain

Question 18

What are the three ways that a task analysis can be conducted?

Answer 18

observe someone else who is competent at the task, while behavior analyst records all S^Ds and responses

recruit an expert, who describes all S^Ds and responses, recorded by behavior analyst

behavioral analyst performs the task themselves, recording all S^Ds and responses

Question 19

How do you make a data sheet for task analysis?

Answer 19

after analysis a data sheet is created, and individual’s progress is documented

count how many links the individual completes, and blacken in that number

e.g. in the fist two attempts, the person completed 3 of the links, then 2, then 4, etc.

this creates a “graph” directly on the data sheet itself

Question 20

How do you teach behavioral chains?

Answer 20

chaining procedures apply specific prompting and fading strategies to each stimulus-response component in the chain

also, an individual behavioral link in the chain may need to be shaped

Question 21

What is total task presentation?

Answer 21

individual attempts all links in the chain from beginning to end

prompting is provided for each link as required

natural reinforcement is given only after last link

applications: PGA golfer putting, brushing teeth, riding the bus

Question 22

What are the pros and cons of total task presentation?

Answer 22

pros: suitable for tasks that are not overly long or complex

cons: not appropriate for people with developmental disabilities; often requires graduated guidance, which is challenging to implement

Question 23

What is the backward chaining?

Answer 23

prompting and fading are used to teach a complex behavior starting with the final link

natural reinforcer (S^R) is given after last link in the chain is completed

link is repeated until learner has mastered it; all prompts are faded

next, second-link is added, with prompts

conditioned reinforcer (e.g. praise) is given after second-last link is completed

process is continued with each preceding link in the chain

Question 24

What are the applications of backward chaining?

Answer 24

getting dressed

putting together a puzzle

Question 25

What are the pros and cons of backward chaining?

Answer 25

pros: typically used with learners who have limited abilities; they will “complete” the chain every time (by performing the final link)

cons: requires additional preparation by behavior analyst

Question 26

What is forward chaining?

Answer 26

prompting and fading are used to teach a complex behavior starting with the first link

natural reinforcer is delivered only when last mastered link is completed

next unmastered link in the chain is added

conditioned reinforcer is delivered between links of the chain

Question 27

What are some applications of forward chaining?

Answer 27

writing first name, saying the alphabet, counting

Question 28

What are the pros and cons of forward chaining?

Answer 28

pros: retains sequential order of behavioral chain

cons: requires additional preparation by behavior analyst

Question 29

What are self-prompting methods?

Answer 29

person prompts self in order to learn the chain

does not require much supervision from a teacher

Question 30

What is written task analysis (textual prompts)?

Answer 30

learner uses a list of instructions that comprise the behavior chain

e.g. recipe in a cookbook

Question 31

What are self-instructions?

Answer 31

learner recites a series of verbal prompts overtly or covertly to guide their behaviors through the chain

e.g. repeating a shopping list to yourself

Question 32

What are picture prompts?

Answer 32

learner uses photos or pictures of the product of each behavior in the chain, or pictures of a person performing each link in the chain

e.g. pictures of how to assemble a cheeseburger

Question 33

What is video modelling?

Answer 33

learner watches a video of a model performing a link in the behavior chain before attempting it, or watches entire video all the way through before attempting the whole chain

there is no verbal prompting in a perfect example

Question 34

How does the completeness of the task analysis affect performance of a behavioral chain?

Answer 34

elements comprising the chain must be sequenced appropriately

corresponding S^Ds for each response must be idenified

Question 35

How does the length or complexity of the chain affect performance of a behavioral chain?

Answer 35

longer or more complex chains require more training time

Question 36

How does the schedule of reinforcement affect performance of a behavioral chain?

Answer 36

not all responses in a chain are affected equally be reinforcer

e.g. in backward chaining, responses at the end of the chain are strengthened more than those at the start of the chain

both the length of the chain and nature of reinforcement must be considered

Question 37

How does stimulus variation affect performance of a behavioral chain?

Answer 37

all possible variations of S^Ds likely to be encountered should be included in the regimen

e.g. for PB&J sandwich making, present different kinds of jams, jars, bread, etc.

Question 38

How does response variation affect performance of a behavioral chain?

Answer 38

variations in S^Ds often require some change in the response to produce the same effect

e.g. varying stimulus by presenting jelly instead of jam requires different responses to get to it out of the jar and onto the bread

further training (or retraining) may be required

Question 39

What are the three types of gradual change procedures?

Answer 39

shaping

fading

chaining

Question 40

What is shaping?

Answer 40

shaping steps reinforce successive approximations of the target behavior

training environment: unstructured situation in which learner may emit a variety of behaviors

applies reinforcement and extinction

Question 41

What is fading?

Answer 41

steps gradually transfer stimulus control from prompts to the S^D

training environment: structured situation that allows precise control of stimuli (e.g. the S^D)

applies reinforcement

Question 42

What is chaining?

Answer 42

steps reinforce stimulus-response links that comprise a sequence of behaviors

training environment: structured situation that allows stimuli and responses to be sequenced precisely

applies reinforcement, and prompting with fading

Question 43

What are the different ways “steps” are used in different behavior modification techniques?

Answer 43

shaping “steps” are successive approximations of one single behavior

three-“step” prompting refers to the procedure of using verbal, modeling, & physical guidance response prompts

fading “steps” means the extent to which prompts are gradually eliminated over time

“steps” in a behavioral chain are the morphologically different behaviors in a sequence; they are the “links”

Question 44

What are the steps involved with using chaining procedures?

Answer 44

1. determine whether chaining is appropriate: chaining is not appropriate when behavior is not produced due to noncompliance
2. perform task analysis to determine behavior chain
3. measure performance baseline, assessing each link of the entire behavior chain
4. select chaining procedure, depending on learner’s ability level: ensure the links are simple enough for the person to learn quickly, consider the use of self-prompting techniques, learners with severe disability may require picture prompts or video modeling
5. apply behavior treatment program: deliver additional conditioned or unconditioned reinforcers as required, eventually fade prompts by the end of training, gradually reduce the amount and/or frequency of additional reinforcement
6. ensure behavior is maintained: e.g. provide intermittent reinforcement after the final link