Getting a New Sequence of Behaviors to Occur with Behavioral Chaining

1. Getting a New Sequence of Behaviors to Occur with Behavioral Chaining Chapter 11

2. Definition • Behavioral Chain • A sequence of discriminative stimuli (SDs) and responses (Rs) in which: • Each response except the last produces the SD for the next response • The last response is followed by reinforcer. • Each SD in a behavioral chain is: • A cue for the next response • A conditioned reinforcer for the previous response (other than the first SD)

3. Stimulus Response Chain • Each response produces a cue for the next response • SD1 R1  SD2  R2  SD3  R3…S+ • S+ is the reinforcer at the end • Stimulus-response connections are “links” in the chain • If any response is not produced by SD before it, the chain will be broken

4. Teaching a Behavioral Chain • Total Task Presentation • Attempt all steps of the chain • Continue until every step is mastered • Prompting provided as needed • Reinforcement provided upon completing last step • Backward Chaining • Last step first • Then, next-to-the last step is taught and linked with last step • On each trial, last step is reinforced • Forward Chaining • Initial step first • Then, first and second… etc. • On each trial, last step is reinforced

5. Chaining Formats • Total Task presentation • Backward Chaining S1 R1 S2 R2 S3 R3 Reinforcer Reinforcer S3 R3 S2 R2 S3 R3 Reinforcer S1 R1 S2 R2 S3 R3 Reinforcer

6. Chaining Formats • Forward Chaining Reinforcer S1 R1 S1 R1 S2 R2 Reinforcer S1 R1 S2 R2 S3 R3 Reinforcer

7. Chaining, Fading, and Shaping compared • All gradual change procedures • Gradually, through a series of steps, produce new behavior • Shaping steps: • Reinforcement of closer and closer approximations • Fading steps • Reinforcement the final desired response in the presence of closer and closer approximations to the final desired stimulus for that response • Chaining steps • Reinforcing more and more of the specific stimulus-response links (not in total task presentation)

8. Influencing the Effectiveness of Behavioral Chaining • Do a task analysis: Identify the components of the final sequence • Task analysis – process of breaking a task down into smaller steps or component responses to facilitate training • Components should be selected so that there is a clear stimulus signaling the completion of each component • Review each of the controlling stimuli for each of the responses in the sequence • If similar stimuli control different responses, there is more chance for error and confusion

9. Influencing the Effectiveness of Behavioral Chaining • Consider strategies for independent use of prompts by learners • Written task analysis • Picture prompts • Reciting self-instructions

10. Influencing the Effectiveness of Behavioral Chaining • Consider conducting a preliminary modeling trial • Model entire sequence while verbally describing the performance of each step • Begin training the behavior chain • Give instructions to begin work • Start with appropriate step for the type of chaining method used • If learner makes a mistake, use error correction • Provide necessary instruction or physical guidance • After error corrected, move to next step

11. Influencing the Effectiveness of Behavioral Chaining • Consider using ample social and other reinforcers • Decrease extra assistance at individual steps as quickly as possible

12. Pitfalls of Behavioral Chaining • Adventitious chains • chains that contain a response member that is not necessary for reinforcement • Special care needs to be taken to avoid undesirable adventitious chaining

13. Guideline for the Effective Use of Behavioral Chaining • Do task analysis • Consider strategies for independent use of prompts by learners • If necessary, do a preliminary modeling trial • Teach the units in the proper sequence • To expedite learning, use fading procedures to decrease extra help that may be needed by client to perform some of the steps • If using backward or forward chaining, make sure that on each trial the client performs the entire set of steps learned up to that point • Early in training, use ample reinforcement; decrease gradually • Make sure that reinforcer used is effective