In behavior therapy, which term refers to the method of gradually guiding a person toward a target behavior?

Shaping is a fundamental technique in behavior therapy that involves reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior. This method works by setting a clear goal and then rewarding small steps that lead toward that goal, which helps to gradually build the desired behavior over time. For instance, if the target behavior is for a child to speak more clearly, the therapist might first reinforce any attempt to speak, then gradually require clearer articulation before providing reinforcement. This gradual process helps individuals succeed at each step, making it less overwhelming and more achievable.

By contrast, enhancement refers more to the increase or improvement of an already established behavior rather than guiding toward a new one. Reinforcing is the act of providing consequences that increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, but it does not specifically capture the gradual process involved in shaping. Extinction is a strategy used to reduce behavior by consistently withholding reinforcement, which is quite different from the supportive approach of shaping.