Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

What is the term for gradually transferring stimulus control from prompts to other discriminative stimuli?

1. Fading

2. Shaping

3. Chaining

4. Flooding

The correct answer is: Fading

The term that describes the process of gradually transferring stimulus control from prompts to other discriminative stimuli is known as fading. This technique involves systematically reducing the intensity or frequency of prompts while simultaneously increasing the presence or salience of the natural discriminative stimuli, allowing the individual to rely less on prompts and more on the relevant cues in the environment. Fading is particularly useful in teaching new skills or behaviors, as it encourages independence and autonomy in the learner. By carefully managing the transition from prompts to these natural stimuli, the learner is better able to generalize the behavior across different contexts. In contrast, shaping involves the reinforcement of successive approximations toward a desired behavior, which is a different process focused on behavior modification. Chaining refers to the linking of a series of behaviors to form a more complex behavior, where each step serves as a cue for the next. Flooding is a method used in exposure therapy that involves exposing a person to their feared stimuli in a non-gradual manner, which is unrelated to the process of transferring stimulus control.