In a behavior chain, each stimulus change is an SD for the next response and as a reinforcer for the preceding response.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Depends

Answer: (B)

In a behavior chain, the stimulus change produced by each response serves two roles: it signals the next response and it has reinforcing value for the response that produced it. The change acts as the discriminative stimulus for the upcoming step, so the learner is cued to perform the next response. At the same time, that same stimulus change has acquired reinforcing properties because it reliably accompanies the progression toward the final reinforcement, helping maintain the preceding response. Although the final reinforcer arrives only after completing the last link, the intermediate cues keep the chain intact by both guiding the next action and reinforcing the action that came before. For example, finishing one step may produce a cue that signals “do the next step now,” and that cue also reinforces the step just completed because its presence predicts the eventual end reward.