Shaping is defined as?

• A. Shaping
• B. Observational learning
• C. Discriminative stimulus
• D. Punishment

Answer: (A)

Shaping is a learning process in operant conditioning where a complex target behavior is built by reinforcing successive approximations to that behavior. Start with a behavior the learner already exhibits and reinforce any action that moves toward the final goal, then reward closer and closer steps, until the full behavior is performed. This incremental approach lets you cultivate skills that wouldn’t appear spontaneously. For example, teaching a dog to roll over might involve rewarding lying down, then turning onto the side, then rolling over, and finally completing the full roll. This method differs from observational learning (learning by watching others), from a discriminative stimulus (a cue that signals when reinforcement is available), and from punishment (a consequence designed to reduce behavior).