Chapter 11 Behavioral Chaining

Stimulus-Response Chain S D 1 --> R1 S D 2 --> R2 S D 2 --> R2 S D 3 --> R3 S D 3 --> R3 S D 4 --> R4 --> S R S D 4 --> R4 --> S R

Task Analysis Identification of all stimuli (S D s) and responses (Rs) in a behavioral chain Example: Eating a bowl of oatmeal (S D 1) bowl of oatmeal, spoon in hand ---> (R1) put spoon in food (S D 2) spoon in food -----> (R2) scoop food onto spoon (S D 3) food on spoon ----> (R3) Put food in mouth ----> (S R ) eat

Chaining Procedures Backward Chaining Teach last S-R component first. Then teach next to last component, and so on. Forward Chaining Teach first S-R component first. Then teach second component, and so on.

Training Sequence for Each Component 1. Present the S D 2. Verbal and physical prompt 3. Praise (and possibly other reinforcers) for correct response 4. Fade prompts 5. When response occurs without prompts, move to the next S-R component move to the next S-R component 6. Continue steps 1-5 until done

Total Task Presentation Execute the whole S-R chain in each training trial Use graduated guidance in each trial Fade to shadowing and then fade shadowing

Example: Stuffing envelopes (S D 1) brochures, envelopes on table ---> (R1) pick up brochure (S D 2) brochure in hand, envelopes on table ---> (R2) pick up envelope (S D 3) brochure and envelope in hand ---> (R3) put brochure in envelope (S D 4) stuffed envelope in hand ---> (R4) put stuffed envelope in the box ----> (S R ) praise To start backward chaining procedures: Present S D 4, prompt R4, and reinforce To start forward chaining procedures: Present S D 1, prompt R1, and reinforce With total task presentation: Prompt the learner through all the steps in the chain

Using behavioral Chaining 1. Is chaining the right procedure? Learning a new behavior vs. noncompliance? Can’t do vs. won’t do problem? 2. Develop a task analysis of the S-R chain 3. Collect baseline data 4. Choose the chaining procedure and implement 5. Continue to collect data 6. Shift to intermittent reinforcement for maintenance

Other Chaining Procedures Picture prompts Written task analysis Self-instructions