Topic 11: Chaining Flashcards by Mona Fazakas

Behavioral Chain

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

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Stimulus Response Chain

same as behavioral chain

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Task Analysis

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

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What are the different ways to conduct a task analysis?

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

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Chaining Procedures

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

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Backward Chaining

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

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Forward Chaining

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

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What are the similarities between forward and backward chaining?

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

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What are the differences between forward chaining and backward chaining?

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

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Total Task Presentation

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

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Graduated Guidance

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

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Written Task Analysis

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

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Picture Prompts

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

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Video Modelling

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

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Self-Instructions

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

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What are behavioral chains?

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

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What is task analysis?

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

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

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

How do you make a data sheet for task analysis?

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

How do you teach behavioral chains?

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

What is total task presentation?

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

What are the pros and cons of total task presentation?

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

What is the backward chaining?

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

What are the applications of backward chaining?

getting dressed

putting together a puzzle

What are the pros and cons of backward chaining?

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

What is forward chaining?

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

What are some applications of forward chaining?

writing first name, saying the alphabet, counting

What are the pros and cons of forward chaining?

pros: retains sequential order of behavioral chain cons: requires additional preparation by behavior analyst

What are self-prompting methods?

person prompts self in order to learn the chain does not require much supervision from a teacher

What is written task analysis (textual prompts)?

learner uses a list of instructions that comprise the behavior chain e.g. recipe in a cookbook

What are self-instructions?

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

What are picture prompts?

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

What is video modelling?

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

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

elements comprising the chain must be sequenced appropriately corresponding S^Ds for each response must be idenified

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

longer or more complex chains require more training time

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

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

How does stimulus variation affect performance of a behavioral chain?

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.

How does response variation affect performance of a behavioral chain?

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

What are the three types of gradual change procedures?

shaping fading chaining

What is shaping?

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

What is fading?

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

What is chaining?

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

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

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"

What are the steps involved with using chaining procedures?

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