Final answer:
Fading of stimulus prompts is a behavioral learning technique where prompts are reduced as learning progresses, allowing individuals to perform behaviors independently. Within-stimulus prompt fading alters the actual stimulus over time. In contrast, extra-stimulus prompt fading involves reducing additional aids provided outside the stimulus itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fading of stimulus prompts is a technique used in the behavioral learning process where prompts are reduced over time. Prompts are initially provided to help an individual make a correct response. As learning progresses, these prompts are slowly removed, or faded, until the individual can perform the behavior without assistance. This ensures the response is not dependent on the prompts long-term. There are two types of prompt fading: within-stimulus prompt fading and extra-stimulus prompt fading.
An example of within-stimulus prompt fading involves teaching a child to identify a red square among various shapes and colors. Initially, the red square might be made larger and brighter than the other shapes. Gradually, the red square is altered to match the size and brightness of the other shapes until the child can correctly identify it without enhanced features.
For extra-stimulus prompt fading, consider teaching a student to solve a math problem. The tutor might initially provide a step-by-step guide beside the problem. As the student becomes more competent, this guide is faded by reducing the number of steps provided, until the student can solve problems without any extra prompts.