In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a redundancy prompt is a specific type of stimulus prompt where an inherent dimension or feature of the target stimulus is emphasized or exaggerated to make the correct response more obvious to the learner.
This prompting strategy works by making a particular characteristic of the stimulus stand out, essentially pairing the correct response directly with that highlighted feature. The aim is to increase the likelihood of the individual providing the correct response by making the right choice visually or conceptually unmistakable. For instance, if the goal is to teach someone to identify the color "red," presenting the word "red" written using red-colored ink serves as a redundancy prompt. In this scenario, both the written word and its color reinforce the concept of "red," making the association more salient and guiding the learner to respond with "red."
Understanding Redundancy Prompts
Redundancy prompts are classified as stimulus prompts because they involve altering the stimulus itself, rather than providing assistance after the stimulus is presented (which would be a response prompt, like a verbal or physical prompt).
Key Characteristics:
- Stimulus-Based: The prompt is integrated directly into the instructional material or stimulus.
- Highlighting: It involves emphasizing or making a specific aspect of the stimulus more salient.
- Inherent Feature: The prompt utilizes a dimension that is naturally part of the stimulus or the concept being taught.
- Error Reduction: They are highly effective in promoting errorless learning, as they guide the learner to the correct response from the outset.
Examples of Redundancy Prompts
Redundancy prompts can be applied across various learning objectives to clarify the target response.
| Target Skill | Redundancy Prompt Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Identifying Colors | The word "BLUE" written in blue ink. | Both the text and the color indicate "blue," creating a strong association. |
| Shape Recognition | A triangle drawn with a very thick or brightly colored outline, while other shapes are not. | The exaggerated outline draws attention to the triangular shape, making it more distinguishable. |
| Matching Letters/Words | A flashcard with the target letter 'B' placed directly on top of a larger, identical 'B'. | The larger, identical letter on the background provides a redundant cue for matching the smaller letter. |
| Object Identification | A picture of a "car" with the word "CAR" printed clearly and prominently on the image. | The visual representation (picture) and the textual representation (word) both convey "car," making the identification easier. |
Redundancy Prompts in Practice
Redundancy prompts are often used in the initial stages of teaching new skills, especially when aiming for errorless learning. By making the correct answer highly obvious, learners are less likely to make mistakes, which can prevent the development of undesirable error patterns.
As the learner begins to respond correctly with the prompt, the prompt itself is systematically faded. Prompt fading is crucial to ensure that the individual eventually responds to the natural stimulus without any added cues. For example, after consistently identifying "red" when the word is written in red, the prompt would be gradually faded by:
- Reducing the intensity of the red ink.
- Changing the word to a less vibrant shade of red.
- Eventually presenting the word "red" in black ink.
- Finally, presenting only objects that are red, without the word.
This systematic removal helps the learner transition from relying on the exaggerated cue to responding to the unprompted stimulus. For more on prompting strategies, you can explore resources on stimulus prompts in ABA.
