Using reinforcement to gradually change the topography of a response or a response dimension is known as what?

Using reinforcement to gradually change the topography of a response or a response dimension is known as what?

• A. Shaping
• B. Chaining
• C. Fading
• D. Prompting

Answer: (A)

Shaping uses reinforcement to gradually change the form (topography) or a dimension of a behavior toward a desired target. You reinforce closer and closer approximations to the final response, starting with a behavior the person already emits and gradually demanding more precise or different features as the pattern becomes reliable. For example, teaching a child to say a new word might begin with rewarding any vocalization, then reward a closer approximation to the word, and finally reward the complete word. This is different from chaining, which links a sequence of distinct actions, prompting, which provides cues to evoke a response, or fading, which reduces prompts over time.

Shaping uses reinforcement to gradually change the form (topography) or a dimension of a behavior toward a desired target. You reinforce closer and closer approximations to the final response, starting with a behavior the person already emits and gradually demanding more precise or different features as the pattern becomes reliable. For example, teaching a child to say a new word might begin with rewarding any vocalization, then reward a closer approximation to the word, and finally reward the complete word. This is different from chaining, which links a sequence of distinct actions, prompting, which provides cues to evoke a response, or fading, which reduces prompts over time.