Shaping

Question 1

Definition of shaping

Answer 1

Differential reinforcement of successive approximations of the target behaviour until the target beh is reached

Question 2

Target beh aka

Answer 2

Terminal beh

Question 3

What is differential reinforcement

Answer 3

One particular beh is reinforced, whereas all other behaviours are not

Question 4

What are successive approximations

Answer 4

Each consecutive behaviour more closely resembles the target behaviour in a series of shaping steps

Question 5

In shaping, target behaviour is…

Answer 5

novel, not currently exhibited

Question 6

Process of shaping

Answer 6

Starting beh most similar to target beh is reinforced
Once mastered, it is extinguished (no longer reinforced)
Extinction burst = novel behaviours
Reinforce novel behaviour most similar to target beh
Increase in future novel beh

Question 7

What happens if shaping gaps are too small

Answer 7

It will be time-consuming, expensive, and the person may become bored

Question 8

What happens if shaping steps advance too quickly

Answer 8

Behaviour may deteriorate, try returning to previous approximation

Question 9

What is quantitative shaping

Answer 9

Setting criteria to increase (or decrease) a dimension of an existing behaviour (freq, duration, latency, intensity)

Question 10

e.g. of quantitative shaping (duration)

Answer 10

Increase time spent exercising on treadmill

Question 11

What is qualitative shaping? Aka

Answer 11

Degree to which successive behaviours resemble the target beh
aka topographic shaping

Question 12

E.g. of qualitative shaping

Answer 12

Child trying to write an E, reinforce lines that look like an E, then extinguish, reinforce lines that look more like an E, etc

Question 13

Shaping has been applied to…

Answer 13

Physical therapy and exercise
Classroom behaviours
Animal training (landmine detection, cat using toilet)

Question 14

Skinner’s early shaping research

Answer 14

Project pigeon attempted to use pigeons to guide missiles
Peck at the boat to direct it

Question 15

7 steps of using shaping

Answer 15

1. Define target behaviour
2. Determine whether appropriate
3. Identify starting behaviour (already demonstrated by individual)
4. Choose shaping steps/approximations
5. Decide reinforcer
6. Apply reinforcement to successive approximations
7. Proceed through shaping steps at appropriate pace

Question 16

When is shaping the appropriate procedure?

Answer 16

If a person never exhibits the target behaviour
If you cannot simply tell the person to perform the target behaviour

Question 17

The starting behaviour should…

Answer 17

Already by demonstrated by the individual

Question 18

Best reinforcers for shaping

Answer 18

Ones that do not satiate (e.g. money instead of food)

Question 19

Four limitations of shaping

Answer 19

1. can be time-consuming if numerous approx required
2. progress is not always linear - may be erratic
3. requires beh changer to continuously/closely monitor beh to detect next approx
4. may inadvertently shape problem behaviours

Question 20

Example of inadvertently shaping a problem behaviour

Answer 20

Children’s tantrums
Infants cry and are reinforced (food, diaper, etc)
Toddlers learn mands: phrases to request stuff
If parents don’t comply, frustration can elevate to screaming, embarrassing in public.
Parent’s give in and provide attention
Increase freq and intensity of tantrums

Question 21

Three ways shaping can be used

Answer 21

1. generating new behaviours
2. reinstating previously exhibited behaviour
3. changing dimension of previously existing behaviour