What does stimulus control transfer involve?

Stimulus control transfer is a critical concept in behavior analysis, particularly in the context of teaching and training. It specifically involves the idea of removing prompts or cues that were initially used to guide behavior, allowing the behavior to be controlled by natural stimuli present in the environment. This process helps individuals learn to respond appropriately to real-life situations without the reliance on artificial prompts.

The goal of stimulus control transfer is to ensure that the behavior remains consistent even when the prompts are no longer present, facilitating greater independence and generalization of skills. When individuals can respond correctly to natural stimuli on their own, it indicates that the skill has been truly mastered and is integrated into their behavioral repertoire. This transfer leads to more adaptive functioning in everyday contexts.

In contrast, focusing solely on reinforcing specific behaviors in isolation would not support the transition to natural stimuli, as it may create dependence on specific reinforcers rather than fostering generalization. Implementing new prompts would also not accomplish stimulus control transfer, as this keeps the individual reliant on external cues rather than developing the ability to respond autonomously. Finally, while the transfer of control from one stimulus to another is a related concept, it does not specifically capture the essence of removing prompts to achieve control by natural stimuli.