What is the primary goal of stimulus and response prompt fading?

The primary goal of stimulus and response prompt fading is to transfer stimulus control from the prompt to the natural antecedent cue. This process involves gradually removing prompts while ensuring that the individual can still perform the desired behavior independently.

In this context, prompts serve as aids that help a learner engage with a task or behavior. By systematically fading those prompts, the intent is to establish that the natural cues present in the environment can elicit the same responses without reliance on artificial prompts. This independence fosters generalization of skills, enabling the individual to recognize and respond to similar cues in varied settings.

Other options, while related to the broader topic of prompt fading, do not capture the primary intent as accurately. For instance, reducing dependency on prompts entirely is a byproduct of the fading process, but the main aim is the transfer of control. Similarly, assisting in job performance standards and simplifying tasks are more focused on outcomes rather than the mechanism of prompting itself. Thus, the essence of the strategy lies in shifting the control from prompts to natural stimuli, reinforcing autonomy in behavior.