Shaping is a technique used in education to teach new behavior through the use of reinforcement until the target behavior is achieved. It is a systematic process of reinforcing successive approximations to a target behavior. Shaping is especially useful when the desired behavior is difficult to achieve, and it is important to clearly define the behavioral objective and the target behavior.
The process of shaping involves breaking down a new behavior into a series of steps, and gradually guiding the subject toward the desired outcome. Each approximate desired behavior that is demonstrated is reinforced, and the teacher provides reinforcement only for closer approximations toward the desired behavior, which is a terminal behavior of the shaping process.
Shaping can be used to teach a variety of complex academic skills and classroom behaviors over time, such as writing letters neatly or sitting quietly until all students in the class have completed their work. It can also be used to reinforce behaviors that are closer and closer to the desired behavior, such as teaching speech and communication.
Shaping is most effective for increasing positive behaviors, and it focuses the students attention on positive behavior. It is an effective method in behavior therapy and can achieve long-lasting, desirable results if the application is consistent, even after the behavior plan has ceased.
