1. Getting a New Sequence of Behaviors to Occur with Behavioral Chaining
Chapter 11
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2. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
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 the 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)
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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
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4. Teaching a Behavioral Chain
Total Task Presentation
Attempt all steps of the chain
Continue until every step is mastered
Prompting is provided as needed
Reinforcement is provided upon completing last step
Backward Chaining
Last step first
Then, the next-to-the last step is taught and linked with last step
On each trial, the last step in the chain is reinforced
Forward Chaining
Initial step first
Then, first and second, etc.
On each trial, last step that was developed is reinforced
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5. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Chaining Formats
Total Task Presentation
Backward Chaining
S1  R1
S2  R2
S3  R3
Reinforcer
S3  R3
Reinforcer
S2  R2
S3  R3
Reinforcer
S1  R1
S2  R2
S3  R3
Reinforcer
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Chaining Formats
Forward Chaining
S1  R1
Reinforcer
S1  R1
S2  R2
Reinforcer
S1  R1
S2  R2
S3  R3
Reinforcer
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7. Chaining, Fading, and Shaping Compared
All are gradual change procedures
Gradually, through a series of steps, all 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
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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
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9. Influencing the Effectiveness of Behavioral Chaining
Consider strategies for independent use of prompts by learners
Written task analysis
Picture prompts
Reciting self-instructions
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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 the error is corrected, move to the next step
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11. Influencing the Effectiveness of Behavioral Chaining
Consider using ample social and other reinforcers
Decrease extra assistance at individual steps as quickly as possible
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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
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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 learner 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
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