Question 1

In a chain, a given stimulus is both an S^D and a conditioned reinforcer.How can this be? Explain with an example.

Accepted Answer

Consider the chain for teaching a person with developmental disabilities to put on a pair of slacks .After doing up the snap in Step 6, the last step was to do up the zipper, which was followed by a reinforcer.Therefore, the "snap done up" became an SD for "doing up the zipper" (i.e., "snap done up" was a cue in the presence of which "doing up the zipper" would be reinforced).Also, across a number of trials, "snap done up" was paired with receiving a reinforcer and would become a conditioned reinforcer for the preceding response of "doing up the snap." In other words, "snap done up" was the stimulus, which when presented after a response (doing up the snap), served to strengthen that response, and "snap done up" had that effect because of appropriate pairings with the reinforcer at the end of the chain.Thus, "snap done up" was both an S^D and a conditioned reinforcer.Any appropriate example is acceptable.

Question 2

Briefly describe the chaining procedure used to teach Steve to perform a consistent preputt routine.

Accepted Answer

First, Steve's pre-putt routine was divided into 7 sequential steps.Second, over a series of 10 trials, Steve was required to perform each of the 7 steps in the appropriate sequence.Third, on each trial, a friend of his checked off the steps as they were performed, and prompted him to perform any missing steps before continuing.Fourth, a friend of Steve's prompted him to perform each step of the pre-putt routine on every putt during a practice round of golf.Finally, during tournament rounds, his caddy frequently reminded him to follow his pre-putt routine.

Question 3

What is an adventitious chain?

Accepted Answer

An adventitious chain is a chain that has subcomponents that are functional in producing the reinforcer, and at least one component (called a superstitious component)that is not functional in producing the reinforcer.

Question 4

Suppose that you want to teach someone to change a tire on a car.Would you use shaping or chaining? Justify your choice.

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Question 5

Describe or define behavior chain, and give an example other than those in this chapter.

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Question 6

Distinguish between a behavior sequence that is a chain and one that is not a chain.

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Question 7

Distinguish among the types of target behavior typically established by shaping, fading, and chaining.

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Question 8

Give an example of a behavior sequence (that is not in this chapter)that is not a chain, and explain why it is not one.

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Question 9

Which of the major chaining methods do the authors recommend for teaching persons with developmental disabilities, and for what four reasons?

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Question 10

Briefly describe the forward-chaining method.

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Question 11

Briefly describe the backward-chaining method.

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Question 12

What is meant by the term task analysis? Describe a plausible task analysis appropriate for teaching a 3-year-old child the chain of tying a knot in a shoelace.

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Question 13

Explain how the theory that the stimuli in a behavior chain are conditioned reinforcers for the preceding responses and SDs for the subsequent responses is an oversimplification.

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Question 14

Briefly describe three strategies to help individuals use prompts independently to guide the mastery of a chain of behaviors.

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Question 15

Give an example of an Unaware-Misapplication Pitfall of chaining other than an adventitious chain. Explain how this pitfall could be avoided.

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Question 16

Give an example of an adventitious chain that is not from this chapter. Clearly identify the superstitious component.

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Question 17

Why do you suppose a behavior chain is called a chain?

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Question 18

Describe how each of the three major chaining methods could be used to teach bed making.

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Question 19

Briefly describe the total-task presentation chaining method.

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Exam 11: Getting a New Sequence of Behaviors to Occur With Behavior Chaining

In a chain, a given stimulus is both an SD and a conditioned reinforcer.How can this be? Explain with an example.