shaping
differential reinforcement of successive approximations of the target behavior until the target behavior is reaches
differential reinforcement
- shaping is defined as DR
one particular behavior is reinforced and others are not - uses reinforcement and extinction
- behavior is reinforced while the other behaviors go through extinction
successive approximations
each consecutive behavior more closely resembles the target behavior in a series of shaping steps (gradual)
what is the target behavior in shaping?
novel
what are the steps in shaping?
- starting behavior most similar to target is reinforced
- the behavior is extinguished
- extinction burst and novel behaviors
- novel behavior most similar to target is reinforced
- increases in novel behavior
shaping “steps”
- advance to next approximation only after current one is mastered
- if advancing too quickly then behavior deteriorates and returns to previous approximation
- gaps too small, shaping will be too time-consuming and expensive and boredome
quantitative shaping
setting criteria to increase or decrease dimension of existing behavior
dimensions of behavior
- freq
- duration
- intensity
- latency
qualitative shaping
- topographic shaping
- degree to which successive behaviors resemble the target behavior
studies about shaping diff topographies of behavior
- Wolf: shaping preschooler w disabilities to wear glasses
- Horner: 5 yr old with intellectual disability and tried to get him to walk
what is an example of qualitative shaping?
- teaching vocal imitation to child with disabilities
- present S^D
- reinforce vocalization (starting)
- reinforce only vowel-like sounds (intermediate)
- reinforce only exact imitations (target)
what has shaping been applied to?
- PT
- classroom behaviors
- animal training
how to toilet train cat?
- place litter box near toilet for many days
- raise height of box until same height as toilet
- tape lid up and secure box to seat
- put pan in toilet, under seat and fill with litter
- make hole in center of pan and make it larger gradually
- hole larger and not able to stand in pan and balance on seat
- remove the pan
life magazine
- Pliny pulled hanging chain with teeth and caused marble to fall in cage
- Pliny picked up marble and put into slot
- marble closed circuit and food dropped into tray
Skinner example of shaping
- Project Pigeon
- taught them how to bowl
Look magazine
Skinner shaped Agnes to jump wall and open wastebasket
how to use shaping?
- define target behavior
- determine whether shaping is the most appropriate procedure
- identify starting behavior
- choose shaping steps/approximations
- decide what reinforcer to apply
- apply reinforcement to successive approximations and apply extinction to previous approximations
- proceed through shaping steps at appropriate steps
what are the limits of shaping?
- time-consuming
- progress is not always linear- erratic
- requires behavior change agent to continuously and closely monitor behavior to detect next approximation
- may inadvertently shape problem behaviors - tantrums (inadvertent reinforcement)
how to get a rat to press lever?
The rat moves to the side where the lever is located.
The rat faces the lever.
The rat approaches the lever.
The rat rears up on its hind legs.
The rat makes a movement toward the lever with a paw.
The rat touches the lever.
The rat presses the lever.
O’Neill and Gardner (Mrs. F)
- rehab
- target: walk independently
- starting behavior: Mrs.F to go to PT room in wheelchair and gave massage
- going to PT room was reinforced bc of massage
- after a few days therapist asked Mrs. F to stand up parallel bars before massage
- gradually worked to full length of bar
- eventually walked independently and was discharged
O’Neill and Gardner (Mrs. S)
- MS
- therapy program for bathroom visits bc she had once been incontinent in public and was worried
- target: wait 2 hours between trips to bathroom
- starting: wait one hour
- met goal for few days and reinforced
- next was to wait 70 min then to 120
how can shaping be used?
- generating novel behavior
- reinstating previously exhibited behavior
- changing some dimension of existing behavior
Jackson and Wallace
- use shaping to modify dimension of existing behavior
- tried to work with teen girl with mild intellectual disability and socially withdrawn and wanted her to increase volume while speaking
Howie and Woods
shaping to increase frequency of spoken words in adults receiving treatment for stuttering
- slowed down rate of speech as learning to speak without stuttering
- once stutter-free then increase rate of speech back to normal
