Which of the following best describes shaping?

Shaping is an important concept in behavioral methods, particularly in the context of learning and modifying behaviors. It involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior, which means that the process starts by rewarding the individual for any behavior that remotely resembles the target behavior. As the person gets closer to exhibiting the target behavior, more specific approximations are reinforced until the final desired behavior is achieved. This gradual approach allows for incremental progress and helps individuals develop new skills or behaviors that they may not display initially.

The focus on reinforcing successive approximations is what distinguishes shaping from other methods. While reinforcing previously learned behaviors may be effective in some contexts, it does not entail the progressive skill development that shaping encompasses. Using visual supports in communication is a different strategy that aids understanding and expression, rather than a method of behavioral modification through reinforcement. Ignoring behaviors until they stop is often aligned with extinction techniques, which do not involve reinforcing any approximations of a behavior. Thus, reinforcing successive approximations effectively captures the essence of shaping.