Shaping Flashcards
Definition of shaping
Differential reinforcement of successive approximations of the target behaviour until the target beh is reached
Target beh aka
Terminal beh
What is differential reinforcement
One particular beh is reinforced, whereas all other behaviours are not
What are successive approximations
Each consecutive behaviour more closely resembles the target behaviour in a series of shaping steps
In shaping, target behaviour is…
novel, not currently exhibited
Process of shaping
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
What happens if shaping gaps are too small
It will be time-consuming, expensive, and the person may become bored
What happens if shaping steps advance too quickly
Behaviour may deteriorate, try returning to previous approximation
What is quantitative shaping
Setting criteria to increase (or decrease) a dimension of an existing behaviour (freq, duration, latency, intensity)
e.g. of quantitative shaping (duration)
Increase time spent exercising on treadmill
What is qualitative shaping? Aka
Degree to which successive behaviours resemble the target beh
aka topographic shaping
E.g. of qualitative shaping
Child trying to write an E, reinforce lines that look like an E, then extinguish, reinforce lines that look more like an E, etc
Shaping has been applied to…
Physical therapy and exercise
Classroom behaviours
Animal training (landmine detection, cat using toilet)
Skinner’s early shaping research
Project pigeon attempted to use pigeons to guide missiles
Peck at the boat to direct it
7 steps of using shaping
- Define target behaviour
- Determine whether appropriate
- Identify starting behaviour (already demonstrated by individual)
- Choose shaping steps/approximations
- Decide reinforcer
- Apply reinforcement to successive approximations
- Proceed through shaping steps at appropriate pace
When is shaping the appropriate procedure?
If a person never exhibits the target behaviour
If you cannot simply tell the person to perform the target behaviour
The starting behaviour should…
Already by demonstrated by the individual
Best reinforcers for shaping
Ones that do not satiate (e.g. money instead of food)
Four limitations of shaping
- can be time-consuming if numerous approx required
- progress is not always linear - may be erratic
- requires beh changer to continuously/closely monitor beh to detect next approx
- may inadvertently shape problem behaviours
Example of inadvertently shaping a problem behaviour
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
Three ways shaping can be used
- generating new behaviours
- reinstating previously exhibited behaviour
- changing dimension of previously existing behaviour