AP Psychology Practice Test

What does the operant conditioning procedure of shaping involve?

1. Punishing undesirable behavior until it ceases

2. Providing reinforcers to guide behavior toward a desired goal

3. Using negative reinforcement to decrease behavior frequency

4. Modifying behavior through observation and imitation

The correct answer is: Providing reinforcers to guide behavior toward a desired goal

The process of shaping in operant conditioning involves providing reinforcers to guide behavior toward a desired goal. This technique is fundamental in behavior modification and learning, as it involves rewarding successive approximations of a target behavior. For example, if a trainer wants to teach a dog to fetch, they might start by rewarding the dog for simply picking up the object, then for bringing it closer, and eventually for delivering it to the trainer. This gradual reinforcement helps to build complex behaviors by reinforcing each small step along the way until the desired behavior is achieved. This method emphasizes the importance of positive reinforcement in increasing the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, illustrating a clear and structured approach to behavior change.