Chapter 9: Shaping Flashcards
How is shaping defined?
Shaping is a process in which successive approximations of a target behavior are differentially reinforced until the desired behavior is achieved.
What is shaping used for?
To teach new behaviors by reinforcing small steps that gradually become closer to the final behavior.
What is an example of shaping?
Teaching a child to say “water” by first reinforcing any vocalization, then “wa,” then “water.”
When would you use shaping?
The target behavior is not currently in the individual’s repertoire (they don’t already do it).
The behavior cannot be prompted or modeled effectively.
You need to teach a complex behavior gradually by reinforcing small improvements.
What is an example of using shaping?
Teaching a child with a speech delay to form words, starting with simple sounds and gradually reinforcing clearer speech.
What 2 behavioral principles are involved in shaping?
Reinforcement – Providing reinforcement for behaviors that are closer to the target behavior.
Extinction – Stopping reinforcement for previous approximations, so only newer, closer behaviors are reinforced.
What is an example of the behavioral principles involved in shaping?
If teaching a rat to press a lever, you first reinforce standing near the lever, then only touching it, and finally only pressing it.
What are the steps in using shaping?
- Define the target behavior clearly.
- Determine the starting behavior (something the individual already does that is closest to the target behavior).
- Choose appropriate reinforcers to motivate behavior.
- Reinforce successive approximations (gradually reinforce behaviors that become closer to the target).
- Use extinction for previous steps (stop reinforcing earlier behaviors once the next step occurs).
- Continue reinforcing closer approximations until the target behavior is reached.
- Reinforce the final behavior consistently to maintain it.
When would shaping be used?
Developing new behaviors that the individual does not currently exhibit (e.g., speaking, walking, using utensils).
Teaching complex skills that cannot be easily prompted or demonstrated (e.g., a dog learning to fetch).
When would shaping not be used?
Behaviors already in the individual’s repertoire (instead, use reinforcement to increase frequency).
If modeling or prompting can be used instead (e.g., teaching a child to write by demonstrating).
Dangerous or inappropriate behaviors (unless necessary for safety, like shaping emergency communication).
What are the 2 basic characteristics of the starting behavior when using shaping?
It must already occur at least occasionally so that reinforcement can be applied.
It must resemble the final target behavior in some way, even if only slightly.
