What is shaping in ABA?

• A. Reducing reinforcement for correct responses.
• B. Reinforcing successive approximations toward a terminal target behavior.
• C. Delivering punishment for errors.
• D. Teaching entire skill in one trial.

Answer: (B)

Shaping is a procedure where you reinforce successive approximations toward a target behavior. You start with a behavior the learner already does that resembles the final goal, reinforce that, and then gradually require and reinforce closer and closer steps until the full target is displayed. This approach uses differential reinforcement and typically fades prompts as the learner improves. For example, if the goal is to say a new word, you would reinforce any vocalization that resembles the word, then only reinforce closer phonetic approximations, and finally reinforce the exact target word as the learner produces it reliably. The other ideas—reducing reinforcement for correct responses, delivering punishment for errors, or teaching the entire skill in one trial—do not capture the progressive, reinforcement-based buildup of a new behavior that shaping uses.