An Evaluation of Prompting and Reinforcement for Training Visual Analysis Skills

Abstract

This study examined the use of an instructional package consisting of structured criteria, extrastimulus prompts, prompt delay, and reinforcement contingencies to improve decision making based on visual analysis of case-study (A/B) design data. Four participants without backgrounds in behavior analysis received training under two experimental conditions: first, a prompt-delay-plus-accuracy-reward condition and then a prompt-delay-plus-accuracy-and-latency-reward condition. A multiple-baseline-across-participants design was used to evaluate the impact of the instructional package on decision accuracy, response speed, and decision types. Results demonstrated that all participants made substantial improvements in decision accuracy as a function of the instructional package. Gains were highest for three participants who relied on prompts and developed mastery in the prompt-delay-plus-accuracy-reward condition. Generalization to unprompted conditions for all participants was immediate and maintained 1 week after training was concluded. Results are discussed in terms of behavioral mechanisms that appeared to control decision making during instruction, practical applications to applied settings, and needs for future research.