In shaping, what is reinforced?

In shaping, the process involves reinforcing successive approximations of the desired behavior, which means that each step taken towards the target behavior is rewarded. This technique is used to gradually guide an individual toward achieving a complex behavior by reinforcing closer and closer versions of the target behavior over time.

For instance, if the goal is to teach a child to say the word "ball," the teacher might first reinforce the child for simply making a vocalization that resembles the word. Next, the teacher might reinforce the child for producing the first syllable or the complete word as they get closer to accurately saying “ball.” By doing so, each reinforcement helps build on the previous success, ultimately guiding the child to accurately pronounce the desired word.

This method is effective because it breaks down a potentially overwhelming task into smaller, manageable steps, making it easier for the individual to achieve success and leading to a more positive learning experience.