What is a high-probability behavior that can be used to prompt a person effectively?

A high-probability behavior refers to an action that the individual is likely to engage in, especially if it is something they have a history of doing successfully or enjoy doing. In this context, handing over a safe object is considered a high-probability behavior because it is a simple and typically low-effort action that the person is likely to perform. This action not only engages the individual but can also serve as a prompt or lead into further desired behaviors.

When utilizing high-probability behaviors in prompting, the idea is to establish a level of engagement and success that can encourage the person to participate further, especially in more complex tasks or interactions. Handing over a safe object also fosters a sense of safety and cooperation, making it conducive for introducing more challenging requests thereafter.

By contrast, behaviors such as taking a drink of water, telling you something, or walking down the hallway can vary significantly in their probability of occurrence based on individual preferences and situational contexts. These actions may not have the same immediate and broad applicability as handing a safe object, which is universally understood and accepted in most interactions.