Topic 9: Shaping

Question 1

Shaping

Answer 1

the reinforcement of successive approximations to a target behavior

shaping is used to establish a novel topography or dimension of a behavior

Question 2

Differential Reinforcement

Answer 2

a procedure in which a specific desirable behavior is followed by a reinforcer but other behaviors are not, the result is an increase in the desirable behavior and extinction of the other behaviors

Question 3

Successive Approximations

Answer 3

in the process of shaping, each successive approximation is a behavior that more closely resembles the target behavior

the shaping process starts with reinforcement of the first approximation, a behavior currently exhibited by the person, after the first approximation is strengthened through reinforcement, it is extinguished, a closer approximation then occurs and is reinforced, this process continues until the person exhibits the target behavior

Question 4

What are the steps used in shaping?

Answer 4

1. define the target behavior
2. determine whether shaping is the most appropriate procedure
3. identify the starting behavior
4. choose the shaping steps
5. choose the reinforcer to use in the shaping procedure
6. differentially reinforce successive approximations
7. move through the shaping steps at a proper place

Question 5

What is shaping?

Answer 5

the differential reinforcement of successive approximations of the target behavior until the target behavior (or “terminal behavior”) is reached

target behavior is novel, or not currently exhibited

starting behavior (first approximation) which is most similar to the target behavior is reinforced

next, this behavior is extinguished (no longer reinforced)

this results in an extinction burst and novel behaviors

the novel behavior most similar to the target behavior (the next approximation) is reinforced

this increases further novel behaviors

Question 6

What is differential reinforcement?

Answer 6

one particular behavior is reinforced, whereas all other behaviors are not

Question 7

What are successive approximations?

Answer 7

each consecutive behavior more closely resembles the target behavior in a series of shaping steps

Question 8

What is the definition of “steps” in the context of shaping?

Answer 8

advance to next approximation only after current one has been mastered

if shaping steps advance too quickly and behavior deteriorates, return to a previous approximation

if gaps are too small, shaping will be time-consuming (and expensive) and the person can become bored

Question 9

What is quantitative shaping?

Answer 9

setting criteria to increase (or decrease) a dimension of an existing behavior

Question 10

What is qualitative (or topographic) shaping?

Answer 10

degree to which successive behaviors resemble the target behavior

Question 11

What are some applications of shaping?

Answer 11

physical therapy and exercise

appropriate classroom behaviors

animal training (zoos/animal parks, companion animals, pets, landmine detection)

Question 12

How is shaping used?

Answer 12

1. define target/terminal behavior precisely
2. determine whether shaping is the most appropriate procedure (if person never exhibits target behavior, if you cannot tell the person to perform target behavior)
3. identify starting behavior: should already be demonstrated by the individual
4. choose shaping steps/approximations
5. decide what reinforcer to apply (food can lead to satiation; money does not)
6. apply reinforcement to successive approximations (and apply extinction to previous approximations)
7. proceed through shaping steps at appropriate pace

Question 13

What are the limitations of shaping?

Answer 13

1. can be time-consuming, if numerous approximations are required
2. progress is not always linear, it may be erratic
3. requires behavior change agent to continuously and closely monitor behavior to detect the next approximation
4. may inadvertently shape problem behaviors

Question 14

How can shaping inadvertently shape children’s tantrums?

Answer 14

in infancy, crying is reinforced: food is presented, or wet diapers are changed

in early childhood, children learn demands: phrases to request a desired stimulus

if parents do not comply immediately, children become frustrated and complain

behavior may elevate to screaming, which is aversive to parents and embarrassing in public

parents “give in”, providing attention or a treat, which reinforces the tantrum

this advertent shaping can increase the frequency and intensity of tantrums