The Effects of Two Management Techniques on the Generalization of a Syntax Structure

The effectiveness of any language training program is determined by generalization of the clinically trained behaviors to spontaneous speech. Traditional language programs which employ operant procedures to establish the behavior in the clinic and reinforcement from family, teachers and peers in a variety of settings to obtain generalization, have been successful in establishing the use of grammatical rules in the clinic setting, but reportedly have failed to promote generalization. Recent literature in the areas of semantics and pragmatics has produced a trend toward teaching language in natural contexts. The purpose of this study was to investigate: 1) whether a group taught with a traditional syntax program would generalize the trained structure to spontaneous speech, 2) whether a group trained with a traditional syntax program in combination with nontraditional methods (natural context) would evidence generalization, 3) whether one of the above methods would evidence greater, lesser or the same generalization and 4) which method would take fewer, the same or greater number of sessions