Chaining: how to apply this technique and what types are there

One of the behavior modification techniques that systematized Burrus F. skinner in the process of developing his operant learning paradigm, which is based on the association of certain responses with obtaining reinforcers or punishments. In this article we will analyze what is chaining, how is it applied and what types exist.

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What is chaining?

Chaining is a behavioral technique that is part of the paradigm of operant learning. It is used to develop new chains of behavior (that is, complex sequences made up of a series of set of simple responses) from other behaviors already in the repertoire of the subject.

Some typical examples of learning that can be developed through this technique are those that allow elaborate behaviors such as playing a musical instrument or driving a vehicle. Chaining is often used to teach basic skills to children with special needssuch as putting on clothes or grooming without help.

The responses that make up the behavioral chain act as conditioned reinforcers of the previous behavior and as discriminative stimuli of the next one. There are two logical exceptions to this: the first response, which does not reinforce any other, and the last, which does not act as a cue for further behavior.

A similar operating technique is shaping, also known as the "successive approximation method." The central difference is that in the molding a behavior is progressively perfected using differential reinforcement, while chaining consists of combining a series of responses in a certain order.

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How to apply this operant technique

To use chaining properly, it is very important to take into account a series of recommendations. In the first place it is convenient, as far as possible, select behaviors that the learner has already mastered in order to maximize the effectiveness of the procedure; furthermore, these should be as simple as possible or be divided into simpler segments.

The behaviors, or links in the chain, that are necessary and that the subject does not master must be developed during the process. Some operating techniques that can help in this regard are shaping, modeling, physical guidance and verbal instruction.

It is preferable that the reinforcement be of a social type, such as congratulations and smiles, instead of material, since the behaviors acquired thanks to this class of reinforcers are maintained to a greater extent. It is also important to use fading in order to remove supporting behaviors from the chain that may have been learned collaterally.

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The 5 types of chaining

Chaining can be applied in several different ways. First of all a distinction must be made between chaining by total task and partial; in one, the learner must perform all the steps of the behavioral sequence on each trial, while that in the other the chain is divided into several segments and these are taught separately before combine them.

In turn chaining by partial task can be subdivided into four different types: forward linking, backward linking, pure partial and progressive partial. Let's see what each of them consists of.

1. By total task

The basic type of chaining roughly corresponds to the procedures we have described so far. In these cases, the person learning carries out all the behaviors that make up the chain in order in each of the training exercises. Reinforcement is provided once the behavioral sequence has been completed.

2. Forward

In this type of partial chaining, the behaviors are taught one by one, starting the chain again each time a new segment is added. So, firstly the first link is executed and a reinforcement is obtained; then the first behavior in the chain is carried out again, followed by the second, and so on.

3. Backward

The partial backward chaining is carried out in the opposite way to the previous type, although the scheme is very similar: the person executes the last response of the chain and gets a reinforcement; later it has to do the same with the penultimate one and then with the last one again to obtain the reinforcement, etc.

4. pure partial

In pure partial chaining, behaviors are taught one by one, usually in a linear order (like forward chaining). In this case no need to execute any other responses in the chain except the one that is working to get the reinforcer, although an integration must finally take place.

5. partial progressive

This type of chaining is similar to the previous one, although the reinforcement is more gradual, as the name suggests. It would consist, for example, of rewarding the execution of the first behavior in the chain, after that of the second, to then the combination of both, then that of the third..., until you reach the reinforcement of the chain complete.

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