Shaping is a behavioral technique used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to teach new behaviors by reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior. This method is especially useful for teaching complex skills that cannot be mastered in a single step.
How Shaping is Used in ABA Programs:
Identify the Target Behavior: The first step is to clearly define the desired behavior that the individual will learn. For example, if the goal is to teach a child to say “hello,” that would be the target behavior.
Assess Current Behavior: The practitioner evaluates the individual’s current skill level to determine what they can do and identify the initial step to begin shaping.
Break Down the Behavior: The target behavior is broken down into smaller, manageable steps or approximations. For instance, if the goal is for the child to say “hello,” initial steps might include making a sound or saying “h.”
Reinforce Approximations: The individual is reinforced for each small step they successfully complete. For example, if the child makes a sound that resembles “h,” they would receive praise or a reward.
Gradually Increase Expectations: Once the individual consistently performs the initial approximation, the criteria for reinforcement are gradually adjusted to require more accurate responses. This might involve reinforcing them for saying “he” before moving on to “hello.”
Maintain and Generalize the Behavior: After achieving the target behavior, strategies are implemented to maintain it and promote generalization across different contexts, people, or settings.
Example:
If teaching a child to complete a puzzle:
Step 1: Reinforce the child for touching a puzzle piece.
Step 2: Reinforce them for picking up a piece.
Step 3: Reinforce them for attempting to fit a piece in the correct spot.
Final Step: Reinforce them for successfully completing the puzzle.
