Generalization of Question-Asking by Severely Retarded Individuals

Abstract

The generalization of a previously trained interrogative response (“What's that?”) was investigated using eight severely retarded institutionalized individuals. Subjects had received comprehensive training on the appropriate use of the interrogative response for an average of 30 months before the analysis was instituted. Two of the eight subjects displayed generalization of the response during probe sessions when they were expected to ask, “What's that?” when a brown bag containing hidden reinforcers was displayed to them. Two of the remaining six subjects were able to reestablish the response when exposed to a peer modeling the behavior. The remaining four were given a brief review of the initial training program, and they were also able to reestablish the response. Results are discussed in terms of the relative ease with which the generalization problem was remedied and the utility and necessity of generalization and maintenance programming with the severely and profoundly retarded.