ABSTRACT
This chapter defines behavior chain and distinguishes between a behavior chain and a behavior sequence. It compares chaining with fading and shaping. A behavioral chain, also called a stimulus–response chain, is a consistent sequence of stimuli and responses that occur closely to each other in time and in which the last response is typically followed by a reinforcer. Many behavior sequences that people perform in everyday life are behavioral chains. Playing a particular song on a musical instrument, brushing their teeth, lacing their shoes, and making a sandwich are all behavioral chains. The three major methods of teaching a behavioral chain are the total-task presentation method, the backward chaining method, and the forward chaining method. With the total-task presentation method, an individual attempts all of the steps from the beginning to the end of the chain on each trial and continues with total-task trials until he/she learns the chain.
