Chapter 11 — Chaining

Question 1

What is a behavioural chain (stimulus-response chain)?

Answer 1

Complex behaviour comprised of several component behaviours that occur together in a certain other.

Question 2

What is task analysis?

Answer 2

Identifying all antecedent stimuli and responses in the sequence that comprises a behavioural chain.

Question 3

What are the three ways task analysis can be conducted?

Answer 3

1. Observe someone else who is competent at the task, while behaviour analyst records all S(D)s and responses
2. Recruit an expert, who describes all S(D)s and responses, recorded by behaviour analyst
3. Behaviour change agent performs the task themselves, recording all S(D)s and responses

Question 4

What is total task presentation?

Answer 4

The individual attempts all links in the chain from beginning to end. Prompting is provided for each link as required.

Question 5

What are the pros and cons of total task presentation?

Answer 5

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 6

What is backward chaining?

Answer 6

• Prompting and fading are used to teach a complex behaviour starting with the final link
• Natural reinforcer is given after final link in the chain is completed
• Link is repeated until learner has mastered it, all prompts are faded
• Conditioned reinforcer is given after second-last link is completed
• Process is continued with each preceding link in the chain

Question 7

What are the pros and cons of backward chaining?

Answer 7

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 behaviour analyst records

Question 8

What is forward chaining?

Answer 8

• Prompting and fading are used to teach a complex behaviour starting with the first link
• Natural reinforcer is delivered only when most recently mastered link is completed
• Next unmastered link in the chain is added
• Conditioned reinforcer is delivered between links of the chain

Question 9

What are the pros and cons of forward chaining?

Answer 9

Pros:
- Retains sequential order of behavioural chain

Cons:
- Requires additional preparation by behaviour analyst records

Question 10

What is self-prompting?

Answer 10

When the person prompts themself in order to learn the chain; does not require much supervision from a teacher.

Question 11

What is written task analysis (textual prompts)?

Answer 11

Learner uses a list of instructions that comprises the behavioural chain.

Question 12

What are self-instructions?

Answer 12

Learner recites a series of verbal prompts overtly or covertly to guide their behaviours through the chain.

Question 13

What are picture prompts?

Answer 13

Learner uses photos or pictures of the product of each behaviour in the chain, or photos of a person performing each link in the chain.

Question 14

What is video modeling?

Answer 14

Learner watches a video of a model performing a link in the behavioural chain before attempting it, or watches entire video al the way through before attempting the chain.

Question 15

What factors affect the performance of a behavioural chain?

Answer 15

• Completeness of the task analysis
• Length or complexity of the chain
• Schedule of reinforcement
• Stimulus variation (all possible variations of S(D)s should be included in training regimen)
• Response variation (variations in SDs often require some change in the response to produce the same effect
• Further training (or retraining) may be required

Question 16

What do steps gradual change procedures include?

Answer 16

• Shaping: reinforcing successive approximations of the target behaviour
• Fading: steps gradually transfer stimulus control from prompts to the S(D)
• Chaining: steps reinforce stimulus-response links that comprises a sequence of behaviours

Question 17

What are the steps of using chaining procedures?

Answer 17

1. Determine whether chaining is appropriate (not appropriate if not produced because of noncompliance)
2. Perform task analysis to determine behavioural chain
3. Measure performance baseline, assessing each link of the entire behavioural chain
4. Select chaining procedure depending on learner’s ability level
5. Apply behaviour treatment program
6. Ensure behaviour is maintained