PSY2606 ABA Lecture 9 Prompting and fading

Purpose of Prompting

  • Discrimination Training: Used to help individuals discriminate between different stimuli.

  • Behavior Development: Aims to develop new behaviors.

    • Example: Teaching students to read English words.

  • Efficiency: Enhances teaching/training effectiveness.

Who Uses Prompting?

  • Audience: Typically employed by various professionals, including:

    • Teachers

    • Coaches

    • Parents

    • Trainers

What is a Prompt?

  • Definition: An antecedent stimulus that controls a specific response.

  • Role of Prompts: Ensures behavior occurs at the appropriate time for reinforcement.

    • Formula: SD (Discriminative Stimulus) + prompt → R (Response) → SR (Reinforcement)

Types of Prompts

  • Response Prompts: Involve another person's behaviors to elicit a response.

    • Types:

      • Verbal Prompt: Oral instructions or cues.

      • Gestural Prompt: Nonverbal cues, e.g., pointing.

      • Modeling Prompt: Demonstration of the desired behavior.

      • Physical Prompt: Direct physical assistance to perform the behavior.

  • Stimulus Prompts: Involve modifications to the stimulus itself.

    • Types:

      • Within Stimulus Prompt: Change characteristics of the SD (size, shape, color).

      • Extra-stimulus Prompt: Adding a new stimulus to assist in making correct discriminations.

Prompting Hierarchy

  • Least-to-Most Prompting: Start with minimal assistance allowing the learner to perform independently.

  • Most-to-Least Prompting: Begin with the most intrusive prompts and gradually decrease assistance as the learner improves.

Examples of Prompting

  • Scenario 1: Baseball Practice:

    • SD: Baseball thrown by pitcher

    • Prompt: Coach’s assistance

    • R: Swing the bat correctly

    • SR: Get praised for hitting the baseball.

  • Scenario 2: Reading Example:

    • SD: Written word "ENTER"

    • Prompt: Teacher says "enter"

    • R: Student says "enter"

    • SR: Received praise.

Transfer of Stimulus Control

  • Aim: Achieve correct responses in the presence of the SD without prompts.

  • Methods:

    • Fading: Gradually removing prompts while the response occurs in the presence of the SD.

    • Prompt Delay: Delay the presentation of the prompt after presenting the SD.

Fading Techniques

  • Prompt Fading: Gradually reduce physical assistance in performing a task.

    • Example: Coach lessens physical help for hitting a ball.

  • Stimulus Fading: Reduce reliance on visual aids over time.

    • Example: Students progressively rely less on flashcard answers.

Prompt Delay Technique

  • Description: After presenting the SD, wait a set duration before using a prompt if necessary.

    • Example: Teacher waits 4 seconds after showing a word before prompting if the student does not respond.

Steps in Using Prompting and Fading

  1. Select the most effective prompt strategy

  2. Capture the learner's attention

  3. Present the SD

  4. Prompt the correct behavior

  5. Reinforce the accurate response

  6. Gradually fade prompts across trials

  7. Maintain reinforcement for responses without prompts

  8. Employ intermittent reinforcement for sustaining behavior.

Application of Prompting in Studying

  • Behavior Modification Test Preparation:

    • SD: Practice test question

    • R: Correct answer given by student

    • Prompt: Looking up the appropriate answer.

    • Fading: Gradually reduce reliance on looking up answers.

Using Index Cards for Study

  • Structure:

    • SD: Question on one side

    • R: Correct answer provided

    • Prompt: Answer printed on the opposite side.

    • Fading: Decrease looking at the card to improve recall ability.