Which technique involves a series of smaller behaviors linked to a desired complex behavior, with each step prompted and reinforced?

Which technique involves a series of smaller behaviors linked to a desired complex behavior, with each step prompted and reinforced?

• A. Guided Imagery
• B. Chaining
• C. Hypothesis Testing
• D. Behavioral Observation

Answer: (B)

Chaining involves taking a complex, goal-oriented behavior and breaking it into a sequence of smaller steps. Each step is taught one at a time and prompted as needed, with reinforcement provided when a step is completed. This creates a linked chain where the successful completion of the final step produces the overall behavior. For example, teaching a child to brush teeth can be done step by step—pick up the toothbrush, apply toothpaste, wet the brush, brush, rinse—each step being prompted and reinforced until the entire routine is fluent. The other options don’t describe this process: guided imagery uses mental visualization for relaxation, hypothesis testing is about evaluating predictions, and behavioral observation focuses on recording behavior without building a linked sequence of steps.

Chaining involves taking a complex, goal-oriented behavior and breaking it into a sequence of smaller steps. Each step is taught one at a time and prompted as needed, with reinforcement provided when a step is completed. This creates a linked chain where the successful completion of the final step produces the overall behavior. For example, teaching a child to brush teeth can be done step by step—pick up the toothbrush, apply toothpaste, wet the brush, brush, rinse—each step being prompted and reinforced until the entire routine is fluent. The other options don’t describe this process: guided imagery uses mental visualization for relaxation, hypothesis testing is about evaluating predictions, and behavioral observation focuses on recording behavior without building a linked sequence of steps.