Final answer:
Doug's mom is using a technique known as chaining to teach him how to make his bed, which involves teaching behaviors in sequence to form a complex task. This method is different from shaping, prompting, and generalization, and is a part of observational learning as theorized by Bandura.
Step-by-step explanation:
Doug's mom is using a strategy known as chaining when she decides to teach the first behavior in the chain first, and then teach each subsequent behavior in making a bed. Chaining is a technique where behaviors are taught in sequence to form a complex action. This method contrasts with shaping, wherein an individual is rewarded for progressive steps toward a desired behavior, such as a child learning to clean his room one step at a time. Unlike prompting, chaining does not necessarily involve giving cues at each step, but rather ensures that each behavior is a prerequisite for the next. Generalization differs as well, as it pertains to the ability to apply learned behaviors to different contexts.
Understanding chaining is crucial in various learning and teaching contexts, such as when children observe and imitate behaviors performed by adults—a process known as observational learning. Bandura's theory outlines the importance of attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation in this process. Examples include a child observing a sibling being disciplined and hence avoiding the same behavior, or Claire's daughter, who imitated punitive behavior unknowingly modeled by her mother.