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Psychologist, Social Worker, Counselor, & MFT!!

Module #5
Course Manual
Non-Verbal Prompts
Questions 1-2 found at the bottom of this page
Answer Booklet | Table of Contents
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Social reinforcers involve the actions of other people. For example, responses like praise, smiles, kisses, and applause are all social reinforcers. Social reinforcers consist of actions people do that typically strengthen behaviors. Social reinforcers, such as verbal praise, attention, and physical contact, include affectionate or approving touches, pats, and hand holding. Also, facial expressions that are social reinforcers include smiles, eye contact, nods of approval, and winks. These could be considered non-verbal prompts.

In contrast, non-social reinforcers do not involve the behavior of other people. Picking fruit from a tree, receiving a drink from a vending machine, and reaching your destination on a walk are all examples of non-social reinforcers.

A non-verbal prompt occurs when, for example, a charitable or political organization prompts donations from you through the mail. Advertising is essentially an elaborate system of prompting you to buy products or services. Most people also use prompts to manage their own behavior; for example, marking an appointment on a calendar so that it will act as a prompt to attend a future meeting.

Shaping, extinction, and aversive control all deal with the manipulation of the consequences of your client's or staff member's behavior. Behavior can, however, be controlled by antecedent stimuli. This is a procedure known as stimulus control. An example of an antecedent stimuli is a traffic light. When the light is red, you put on the brake. When the light is green, you put your foot on the gas. You make a response depending upon which signal is lit.

On the tape, sample non-verbal prompts were: facial expression, eye contact, head nod, pointing, touching, and environmental aids like label drawers, mark doors, post calendars.

Give two examples of your use of a non-verbal prompt with a client or staff member.

(1) Example one:

(2) Example two:


Personal Reflection Exercise #5
The preceding section contained several Non-Verbal Prompting techniques. Write three case study examples regarding how you might use the contents of this section of the Manual or the “Non-Verbal Prompt” section of the audio tape in your practice. Affix extra paper for your Journaling entries to the end of this Manual.
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