Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Formung / Español: Moldeamiento / Português: Modelagem / Français: Modelage / Italiano: Modellamento

Shaping refers to positive reinforcement is given for successive approximations of a specified behaviour, eventually resulting in production of that behaviour.

Shaping refers to the gradual of molding responses to a final desired pattern; a technique for conditioning a desired response by rewarding successive approximations to that response.

Shaping also refers to a contingency management technique in which a behavior is developed by first rewarding any behavior that approximates it and then by selectively reinforcing behaviors that more and more resemble the target behavior.

Shaping in psychology refers to a behavioral technique used in operant conditioning, where successive approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced until the target behavior is achieved. It is a method used to teach complex behaviors by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps, reinforcing each step along the way. This technique was developed by B.F. Skinner and is commonly used in behavior modification, animal training, and therapeutic settings.

Description

Shaping is based on the principles of operant conditioning, where behaviors are learned through reinforcement. Instead of waiting for the desired behavior to occur spontaneously, shaping actively guides the individual toward the goal by rewarding incremental progress. Each step toward the final behavior is reinforced, while behaviors that deviate from the desired outcome are ignored or not reinforced.

The process of shaping involves:

• Identifying the target behavior: Clearly defining the final behavior that needs to be learned.
• Reinforcing successive approximations: Rewarding behaviors that are closer and closer to the desired behavior.
• Gradually increasing criteria: As the individual becomes proficient in one step, reinforcement is provided only when a more advanced behavior is exhibited.
• Maintaining motivation: Using appropriate reinforcement schedules to encourage persistence and progress.

This method is widely used in areas such as education, therapy, and animal training. For example, in a classroom setting, a teacher might use shaping to help a student with a learning disability develop better reading skills by reinforcing small milestones, such as recognizing letters, forming words, and eventually reading full sentences.

Application Areas

• Behavior therapy: Used to modify maladaptive behaviors in individuals with autism, ADHD, or other behavioral disorders.
• Education: Helps students learn complex skills by reinforcing small achievements.
• Animal training: Used to train animals to perform specific tasks by rewarding progressive steps.
• Rehabilitation programs: Assists individuals recovering from physical or cognitive impairments by reinforcing small improvements.
• Sports training: Coaches use shaping to improve athletic performance by reinforcing incremental progress.

Well-Known Examples

• Teaching a child to tie their shoes: Breaking the task into small steps and reinforcing each one until the full action is learned.
• Training a dog to sit: Initially rewarding small movements toward the sitting position, then requiring more precise actions before giving reinforcement.
• Speech therapy for stuttering: Encouraging fluency in small steps, such as starting with single words before progressing to full sentences.

Risks and Challenges

• Over-reliance on reinforcement: If reinforcement is not gradually faded, the individual may not perform the behavior without it.
• Frustration and confusion: If steps are too difficult or reinforcement is inconsistent, the learner may become discouraged.
• Time-consuming process: Shaping requires patience and consistent reinforcement, which can make it a slow learning method.

Similar Terms

• Reinforcement: Strengthening behaviors through rewards or consequences.
• Chaining: Teaching a complex sequence of behaviors by linking smaller steps together.
• Extinction: The process of reducing unwanted behaviors by removing reinforcement.

Summary

Shaping is a behavioral technique in psychology that reinforces gradual steps toward a desired behavior. It is widely used in therapy, education, and training to help individuals learn new skills. While effective, it requires patience, consistency, and appropriate reinforcement to achieve successful outcomes.

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