What Is A Shaping Procedure?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Shaping can also be defined as the

procedure that involves reinforcing behaviors that are closer to the target behavior

, also known as successive approximations. The theory involves reinforcing behavior that are successively closer and closer to the approximations of the desired, or targeted, behavior.

What are shaping procedures in ABA?

Shaping =

a process used in teaching in which a behavior or skill is gradually taught by differentially reinforcing successive approximations to the behavior that the teacher wants to create

. When shaping, the teacher uses his/her knowledge of the child and their behaviors and the skill in which they desire to teach.

What is an example of shaping?

An example of shaping is

when a baby or a toddler learns to walk

. They are reinforced for crawling, then standing, then taking one step, then taking a few steps, and finally for walking. Reinforcement is typically in the form of lots of praise and attention from the child’s parents.

What happens during shaping?

In shaping, the

form of an existing response is gradually changed across successive trials towards a desired target behavior by reinforcing exact segments of behavior

.

What is an example of shaping in the classroom?

Shaping is the process of reinforcing successively closer and closer approximations to a desired terminal behavior. For example,

a child learns to pull itself up, to stand, to walk and to finally move about through reinforcement of slightly exceptional instances of behaviors

.

What is the first step in shaping?

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.

When should shaping be used?

Shaping is used when

you want the student to engage in a certain desirable behavior that is

, at present, infrequently or never displayed by him/her. If you were to wait for the student to show this behavior so that you could reward him/her, you might wait a very long time.

What is a benefit of a shaping procedure?

Specifically, when using a shaping technique,

each approximate desired behavior that is demonstrated is reinforced

, while behaviors that are not approximations of the desired behavior are not reinforced.

How do you teach shaping behavior?

  1. Praise Your Child.
  2. Use Attention and Ignoring.
  3. Provide Pre-Teaching.
  4. Teach Your Child What To Do.
  5. Provide Logical Consequences.
  6. Create a Reward System.

What are the 4 functions of behavior?

The four functions of behavior are

sensory stimulation, escape, access to attention and access to tangibles

. BCBA Megan Graves explains the four functions with a description and example for each function.

Does shaping use punishment?

In a similar vein as positive behaviors are reinforced, so too can negative behaviors be reduced or eliminated through shaping

​ 1 ​

. … This is

positive punishment

because it is the adding of a consequence as a response to the behavior. Negative punishment is the removal of favorable consequences to undesirable behavior.

Why is shaping important?

Shaping is considered an essential process in teaching

because behavior cannot be rewarded unless it first occurs

. Shaping is intended to lead children in the direction of appropriate complex behavior, and then reward them as they complete each successive step.

How do you write a shaping plan?

  1. 1) At the bottom of a blank piece of paper write down your final behaviour. …
  2. 2) At the top of that same piece of paper write down the closest behaviour the animal already does. …
  3. 3) Fill in the gaps. …
  4. 4) Implement your training plan.

What are the two components of shaping?

It can be claimed when the

topography, frequency, latency, duration, or amplitude/magnitude

of the target behavior reaches a predetermined criterion level. These are two key procedural components of shaping. Response differentiation are composed primarily of responses sharing the characteristics of the previously_____.

What is the best definition of shaping?

Shaping is defined as the

differential reinforcement of successive approximations of a target behavior until the person exhibits

the target behavior.

What is the difference between shaping and chaining?

Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behaviour. It is widely used by animal trainers to teach the animals to perform tricks. Chaining involves

one response leading to the occurance of another response

. Most behaviours occur in chains.

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.