Acquisition and Generalization of Teaching Techniques

Abstract

The present investigation was designed to examine the effects of training parents on the use of four teaching techniques: choosing target behaviors to teach, using an antecedent system of graduated guidance, using consequences, and data collection. Nine parents of toddler-aged children, at-risk for developmental delay, were taught on the use of the techniques. The acquisition of the techniques was measured and displayed via a multiple-baseline design within each parent. Only one of the parents demonstrated independent baselines for the acquisition of each teaching technique, suggesting a degree of generalization and the cumulative effects of the teaching techniques within the other eight parents. The acquisition of the teaching techniques had functional effects on the correct responding of five of the nine children during teaching sessions with the parents. All of the parents in this investigation did demonstrate the ability to generalize the teaching techniques across a range of child behaviors.