Developing New Behavior - Chaining

Front 1

Behavior Chain

Back 1

A specific sequence of discrete responses, each associated with a particular stimulus condition.

Front 2

Types of Behavior Chains

Back 2

1. Forward Chaining
2. Backward Chaining
3. Total Task Chaining
4. Backward Chaining with Leap Aheads

Front 3

Three Important Characteristics of a Behavior Chain

Back 3

1. It involves the performance of a specific series of discrete responses.
2. The performance of each behavior in the sequence changes the environment in such a way that it produces conditioned reinforcement for the preceding response and serves as an Sd for the next response.
3. The responses within the chain must be performed in a specific sequence, usually in close temporal succession.

Front 4

Three Methods Used to Identify and Validate the Components of a Task Analysis

Back 4

1. Behavioral components of the sequence are developed after observing competent individuals perform the desired sequence of behaviors.
2. Consult with experts or persons skilled in performing the task.
3. Perform the behaviors oneself.

Front 5

Two Principal Ways to Assess Mastery Level

Back 5

1. Single-Opportunity Method: assesses the learner's ability to perform each behavior in the task analysis in correct sequence.
2. Multiple-Opportunity Method - assesses the learner's level of mastery across all the behaviors in the task analysis.

Front 6

Total-Task Chaining may be appropriate when...

Back 6

1...the learner can perform many of the tasks in the chain, but needs to learn them in sequence.
2...the learner
has an imitative repertoire.
3...the learner has moderate to severe disabilities
4...the task sequence or cycle is not very long or complex.

Front 7

Behavior Chain Interruption Strategy (BCIS)

Back 7

Relies on the participant's skill to perform the critical elements of a chain independently, but the chain is interrupted at a predetermined step so that another behavior can be emitted.

Front 8

Key Components of BCIS

Back 8

1. Instruction begins in the middle of the chain sequence.
2. Procedurally, the BCIS is predicated on an assessment that verifies that the person is able to complete the chain independently, but experiences moderate distress when the chain is interrupted in the middle of the sequence.
3. Verbal prompts are used at the point of interruption (e.g., "What do you want?"), but a full range of response prompts--modeling and physical guidance--has also been employed.
4. Interruption training occurs in the natural setting (e.g., a water basin for washing hair, the microwave oven for making cookies).
5. Maintenance, generalization, and social validity data, although not overwhelmingly evident in every study, are sufficiently robust to suggest that the BCIS be included with other interventions (e.g., mand-model, time delay, and incidental teaching).

Front 9

Factors Affecting the Performance of a Behavior Chain

Back 9

1. Completeness of the Task Analysis
2. Length or Complexity of the Chain
3. Schedule of Reinforcement
4. Stimulus Variation
5. Response Variation

Front 10

Behavior Chain with a Limited Hold

Back 10

A contingency that specifies a time interval by which a behavior chain must be completed for reinforcement to be delivered.