Concurrent Operants: A Model for Stimulus Control Transfer Using Delayed Prompting

Abstract

A review of the literature is presented regarding the transfer of stimulus control in delayed prompting. A historical overview of the development of delayed prompting traces the origin of these techniques in the experimental analysis of behavior through to their use in applied behavior analysis. Currently, the cause(s) for stimulus control transfer in delayed prompting are unknown. A conceptual model, stemming from the work of Touchette and Howard (1984), is presented that may allow for a greater understanding of why transfer of stimulus control occurs with delayed prompting. It is shown that a model based upon concurrent schedules of reinforcement juxtaposing constant and progressive schedules may account for how delay of reinforcement and response effort interact during training to shift stimulus control of behavior from prompted to unprompted responding. The paper concludes with a summary of the utility of conceptualizing the mechanism responsible for the transfer of stimulus control in delayed prompting in terms of a concurrent schedule of reinforcement.