What are situational prompts in behavior therapy?

Situational prompts are external cues that come from specific contexts and serve to elicit or trigger desired behaviors from individuals. They are typically used in behavior therapy to encourage appropriate actions in environments where those behaviors are expected to occur. For example, a therapist might place visual cues in a classroom setting to remind students to raise their hands before speaking. This approach helps individuals understand when a certain behavior is appropriate based on the immediate context.

By utilizing situational prompts, therapists can enhance learning and behavioral changes by linking behaviors to the environments in which they should be displayed. This strategy emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior, making it easier for individuals to connect their actions with the context in which they are expected.