PSYB45H3 Chapter : Behavior Modifications ch11.docx
Document Summary
A complex behavior requires multiple component behaviors that occur in a sequence called a behavioral chain. You want a piece of chewing gum: reach into your pocket, pull out a piece of gum, pull a single stick out of the pack, unwrap the piece of gum, put the gum into your mouth. Each behavior in the chain can only occur after the previous behavior in the chain has been completed. Each behavior depends on the occurrence of the previous behavior. A behavioral chain is often called a stimulus-response chain. Each behavior or response in the chain produces a stimulus change that acts as an sd for the next response. The whole chain is under stimulus control so that the first response in the chain occurs when a particular sd is presented. A bin full of towels near bobby is an sd for bobbys first response.
