Chaining

Chaining (English for chaining ) is a term of instrumental conditioning, a behaviorist learning theory. He describes the gradual learning a complex new behavior by concatenation of simpler parts. Chaining techniques are used in behavioral therapy, but also in the training of animals.

The target behavior is split into individual sections and those practiced individually until they have been fully learned. As with the threading of beads already learned sequences serve as a basis for the complex sequence of individual behavior steps. Here you can start with the first part of this step and gradually extend ( forward chaining ) or to start with the last part of step adds the penultimate sub-step, etc. (backward chaining ).

In behavior therapy, one speaks of chaining in the strict sense only when backward chaining. Forward chaining, thus learning the sequence from the first to the last step is herein called shaping.

Example of forward chaining

For example, to learn a circus tiger to jump through a burning hoop, so the trainer entices him first with food ( a so-called " primary booster " ) to jump on command on the start platform. If this first step is dominated sure the jump comes from this podium a second to do so. The jump to the first platform is no longer reinforced, only now the two-part sequence. Third, the jump from the first to the second pedestal is added by a non burning tires. Is reinforced again, only the overall sequence; the tiger jumps past the tires, there is no reward. Finally you add the jump from the start podium by burning tires on the landing platform.

Thus, any successful behavior sequence serves as a positive reinforcer, while not successful behavior sequence is occasion, the later target behavior several times to practice after another until the individual has learned and the desired behavior. This is achieved by the positive punishment, repeated practicing. Negative amplifier such as the elimination of practicing instead encourage the individual in his behavior and consolidate this.