Applied Behavior Analysis Prompting and Fading Procedures 1 Flashcards

Which type of prompt involves altering a physical dimension of the target stimulus itself (e.g., size, color, or intensity) rather than adding a separate cue?

Answer: Within-stimulus prompt

Within-stimulus prompts modify an attribute of the discriminative stimulus itself—such as enlarging the correct letter or making it brighter—so the relevant feature is embedded in the target rather than added alongside it. Extra-stimulus prompts, by contrast, are separate cues added to the environment.

A behavior technician begins a trial by giving only a verbal instruction. If the learner does not respond correctly within 5 seconds, the BT adds a model prompt; if still incorrect, a partial physical prompt is delivered. This sequence describes:

Answer: Least-to-most prompting

Least-to-most prompting starts with the least intrusive prompt (here, verbal) and escalates toward more intrusive prompts only after an error or non-response, minimizing unnecessary assistance.

Progressive time delay differs from constant time delay primarily in that:

Answer: The delay interval is increased gradually across sessions or trials rather than remaining at a fixed duration

In progressive time delay the waiting interval is systematically increased in small steps (e.g., 0 s → 2 s → 4 s → 6 s) so the learner has progressively more opportunity to respond independently. Constant time delay fixes the interval after an initial 0-second phase.

Graduated guidance is best characterized as:

Answer: Physically guiding a learner through a task and adjusting the level of physical contact moment-to-moment based on the learner's responding

Graduated guidance is a dynamic, within-trial procedure in which the practitioner maintains enough physical contact to prevent errors but immediately fades (e.g., from hand-over-hand to shadowing) as the learner initiates correct movement, rather than following a predetermined prompt schedule.

Simultaneous prompting differs from other prompt-fading strategies because it:

Answer: Presents the controlling prompt at the same moment as the discriminative stimulus on every instructional trial, with no opportunity for unprompted responding during training

In simultaneous prompting the controlling prompt is delivered concurrently with the SD on every training trial, making errors nearly impossible; independent responding is assessed only during separate probe trials, not during training itself.

A practitioner is fading a color overlay that was placed on the correct answer card to help a learner discriminate it from foils. She gradually reduces the intensity of the color across sessions until only the standard card remains. This best exemplifies:

Answer: Within-stimulus fading of an extra-stimulus prompt

The color overlay is an extra-stimulus prompt (added to, not part of, the target stimulus). Gradually reducing its intensity is an example of stimulus fading applied to that extra-stimulus prompt, systematically transferring stimulus control to the natural discriminative stimulus.