Which statement about chaining is true?

Which statement about chaining is true?

• A. Reinforcement is delivered after every step in the chain.
• B. After every step in the chain reinforcement is given.
• C. Reinforcement is delayed until the entire chain is completed.
• D. Reinforcement is not used at all.

Answer: (C)

In chaining, you want the dog to perform a sequence of behaviors in a specific order, with a single reinforcer signaling the end of the sequence. Delivering reinforcement only after the entire chain is completed ties the whole sequence together as one unit. It makes finishing the chain the rewarding event, so each link in the chain becomes a cue for the next, building a cohesive performance rather than a set of independent, individually reinforced steps. If reinforcement happened after every step, each link would become its own reinforced behavior rather than part of a complete chain, which can undermine the goal of having a smooth, ordered sequence. Not using reinforcement at all obviously fails to motivate the behavior.

In chaining, you want the dog to perform a sequence of behaviors in a specific order, with a single reinforcer signaling the end of the sequence. Delivering reinforcement only after the entire chain is completed ties the whole sequence together as one unit. It makes finishing the chain the rewarding event, so each link in the chain becomes a cue for the next, building a cohesive performance rather than a set of independent, individually reinforced steps.

If reinforcement happened after every step, each link would become its own reinforced behavior rather than part of a complete chain, which can undermine the goal of having a smooth, ordered sequence. Not using reinforcement at all obviously fails to motivate the behavior.