National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) Practice Exam

When using behavior modification with a female child who is emotionally disturbed, what is the technique of teaching separate hygiene behaviors and then combining them into a routine called?

1. Shaping

2. Modeling

3. Extinction

4. Chaining

The correct answer is: Chaining

The technique of teaching separate hygiene behaviors and then combining them into a routine is referred to as chaining. In behavior modification, chaining involves breaking down a complex behavior into smaller, manageable steps (discrete behaviors) and teaching each step individually before linking them together into a complete sequence. This method is particularly effective in helping individuals understand and master complex routines by reinforcing each individual component of the behavior. In the context of teaching hygiene, for example, you might first teach the child to wash their hands, then to brush their teeth, and so forth. After each individual behavior has been learned and practiced, these steps are then combined into a comprehensive hygiene routine that the child can perform independently. This approach not only supports skill acquisition but also builds confidence in the child as they achieve mastery over each step, leading to greater independence and self-care capabilities. Shaping, modeling, and extinction are different techniques in behavior modification. Shaping focuses on reinforcing successive approximations toward a desired behavior, while modeling involves demonstrating a behavior for someone to imitate. Extinction refers to the process of reducing a behavior by withholding reinforcement. Each of these techniques has its unique applications, but chaining is specifically suited for teaching sequentially integrated behaviors like personal hygiene routines.