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Unit 6Unit 6

Throughout the course thus far we have Throughout the course thus far we have explored the ways in which explored the ways in which consequences affect and change consequences affect and change behavior. behavior.

Consequences, especially positive Consequences, especially positive reinforcement, are a highly effective way reinforcement, are a highly effective way to increase a behavior that is already to increase a behavior that is already occurring. occurring.

Unit 6 ProjectUnit 6 Project

You will gain practice analyzing two case You will gain practice analyzing two case studies and discussing the rationale for studies and discussing the rationale for the modification program used in the the modification program used in the cases.cases.

While you should rely primarily on the While you should rely primarily on the textbook readings, you also may use textbook readings, you also may use Internet research should you choose.Internet research should you choose.

Unit 6 ProjectUnit 6 Project

The total project must be between 2-3 The total project must be between 2-3 pages in 12 point font. pages in 12 point font.

Please be sure to use proper APA format Please be sure to use proper APA format for all sources used. for all sources used.

Direct quoting of sources should be kept to Direct quoting of sources should be kept to a minimum. a minimum.

For additional help, refer to the APA Quick For additional help, refer to the APA Quick Reference on the Course Home Page or to Reference on the Course Home Page or to the Kaplan Writing Center.the Kaplan Writing Center.

Introduction to Unit 6Introduction to Unit 6

Many times ABA professionals find Many times ABA professionals find themselves working with clients who themselves working with clients who need to develop new, productive need to develop new, productive behaviors. behaviors.

Techniques such as chaining and Techniques such as chaining and shaping can be helpful.shaping can be helpful.

ShapingShaping

Shaping Shaping is the process of systematically is the process of systematically and differentially reinforcing successive and differentially reinforcing successive approximations to a new behavior.approximations to a new behavior.

Successive approximations:Successive approximations: each one each one closer in form to the terminal behavior closer in form to the terminal behavior than the response class it replaces.than the response class it replaces.

Rules for ShapingRules for Shaping

1.1. Define the target behaviorDefine the target behavior

2.2. Reinforce successive approximations of Reinforce successive approximations of the target behavior.the target behavior.

3.3. Monitor resultsMonitor results

Example: Using shaping Example: Using shaping to teach a child to talkto teach a child to talk

Shaping procedures are another way in Shaping procedures are another way in which a new behavior can be developed. which a new behavior can be developed.

For example, suppose your client is a For example, suppose your client is a nonverbal three year old nonverbal three year old

Shaping talking behavior means Shaping talking behavior means reinforcing those sounds that best reinforcing those sounds that best approximate the desired wordapproximate the desired word

Let’s say the child loves Let’s say the child loves candy. You could use this to candy. You could use this to shape saying the word shape saying the word candy. You might first candy. You might first provide candy if the child provide candy if the child makes any sound. Then, makes any sound. Then, only if the child says “ca” only if the child says “ca” and so on, until you are only and so on, until you are only providing reinforcement if providing reinforcement if the child says “candy”the child says “candy”

How does reinforcing successive approximation help bring about the desired behavior?

What’s another What’s another example of using example of using shaping to teach a shaping to teach a new behavior?new behavior?

ChainingChaining

A A behavior chainbehavior chain is a specific sequence is a specific sequence of discrete responses, each associated of discrete responses, each associated with a particular stimulus condition.with a particular stimulus condition.

Each discrete response serves as an Each discrete response serves as an individual component of the chain.individual component of the chain.

Rules for ChainingRules for Chaining

1.1. Define the target behavior.Define the target behavior.

2.2. Reinforce successive elements of the Reinforce successive elements of the chain.chain.

3.3. Monitor ResultsMonitor Results

Example: Using chaining to Example: Using chaining to teach someone how to wash teach someone how to wash his/her handshis/her hands Washing your hands requires many Washing your hands requires many

different steps, so in order to help your different steps, so in order to help your client acquire this new behavior you need client acquire this new behavior you need to chain the steps. to chain the steps.

This means breaking them down and This means breaking them down and reinforcing each step and then using that reinforcing each step and then using that step to build on the next one. step to build on the next one.

What might be the What might be the first step involved in first step involved in washing your hands? washing your hands? The second? The second?

How could these How could these steps be chained steps be chained together to help a together to help a client learn this client learn this behavior?behavior?

What’s another What’s another example of using example of using chaining to teach a chaining to teach a new behavior?new behavior?

Working to Change Group Working to Change Group BehaviorBehavior

ABA professionals might be called upon to ABA professionals might be called upon to address classroom management issues in address classroom management issues in a school or productivity in an office setting. a school or productivity in an office setting.

Using group contingencies, such as a Using group contingencies, such as a system in which everyone is sharing in the system in which everyone is sharing in the reward can be one method of behavior reward can be one method of behavior modification in the group setting.modification in the group setting.

Example: Use of group Example: Use of group punishmentpunishment

In “military boot camp” if someone slacks In “military boot camp” if someone slacks on an exercise, the entire group has to on an exercise, the entire group has to run an extra laprun an extra lap

In history class, if someone is off-task, In history class, if someone is off-task, the entire class loses five minutes of the entire class loses five minutes of recess.recess.

What are some more What are some more examples of using examples of using group punishment?group punishment?

Example: Use of group Example: Use of group reinforcementreinforcement

Students in a class earn marbles in a jar Students in a class earn marbles in a jar for on-task behavior. When the jar is full, for on-task behavior. When the jar is full, the entire class gets an ice cream party.the entire class gets an ice cream party.

Team members at a company earn an Team members at a company earn an end-of-the year bonus if the group sales end-of-the year bonus if the group sales reach a certain levelreach a certain level

What are some more What are some more examples of using examples of using group reinforcement?group reinforcement?

Contingency ContractContingency Contract

A A contingency contractcontingency contract also called a also called a behavioral contractbehavioral contract, is a document that , is a document that specifies a contingent relationship specifies a contingent relationship between the completion of a specified between the completion of a specified behavior and a specified reward such as behavior and a specified reward such as free time, a letter grade, or a preferred free time, a letter grade, or a preferred activity.activity.

Guidelines and Rules forGuidelines and Rules forContingency ContractsContingency Contracts

1.1. Write a fair contract.Write a fair contract.2.2. Write a clear contractWrite a clear contract3.3. Write an honest contractWrite an honest contract4.4. Build in several layers of rewardsBuild in several layers of rewards5.5. Add a response cost contingency.Add a response cost contingency.6.6. Post the contract in a visible placePost the contract in a visible place7.7. Renegotiate and change a contract when Renegotiate and change a contract when

either party is consistently unhappy with it.either party is consistently unhappy with it.8.8. Terminate a contingency contract.Terminate a contingency contract.

Group ContingencyGroup Contingency

A A group contingencygroup contingency is one in which a is one in which a common consequence (usually, but not common consequence (usually, but not necessarily, a reward intended to necessarily, a reward intended to function as reinforcement) is contingent function as reinforcement) is contingent on the behavior of one member of the on the behavior of one member of the group, the behavior of part of the group, group, the behavior of part of the group, or the behavior of everyone in the group.or the behavior of everyone in the group.

Implementing a Group Implementing a Group ContingencyContingency

Six guidelines in implementing a group Six guidelines in implementing a group contingency:contingency:

1.1. Choose a powerful reward.Choose a powerful reward.2.2. Determine the behavior to change and any Determine the behavior to change and any

collateral behaviors that might be affected.collateral behaviors that might be affected.3.3. Set appropriate performance criteria.Set appropriate performance criteria.4.4. Combine with other procedures when Combine with other procedures when

appropriate.appropriate.5.5. Select the most appropriate group Select the most appropriate group

contingency.contingency.6.6. Monitor individual and group performanceMonitor individual and group performance

Token EconomyToken Economy

A token economyA token economy is a behavior change is a behavior change system consisting of three major system consisting of three major components:components:

1.1. A specified list of target behaviorsA specified list of target behaviors2.2. A medium of exchange is selected that A medium of exchange is selected that

medium of exchange is a symbol.medium of exchange is a symbol.3.3. Backup reinforcers are provided that can Backup reinforcers are provided that can

be purchased with the token.be purchased with the token.

QuestionQuestion

Provide an example of a token economy Provide an example of a token economy that will help to shape a specific that will help to shape a specific behavior.behavior.

Great job tonight!Great job tonight!

Any ending questions or comments?Any ending questions or comments?