ch 5: shaping & chaining

what is shaping?

reinforcement of successive approximation of target bx

what are approximations in regards to shaping?

bxs that are in the right direction of a target bx

what should be done once approximate reliability occurs?

withhold reinforcement until closer one is emitted

what are the rules for shaping?

1. define target bx

2. reinforce successive approximation

what is the target bx for shaping?

terminal bx

what does variability in bx mean for approximation?

likely that good approximation will occur

how can shaping proceed more quickly?

when steps of approximation are small

what does backstep mean?

resuming previous step when progress is low

what can many human bxs be broken into?

a sequence or chain of simplest bxs

what is a bx chain?

a sequence of relation bxs

what does the completion of 1 element of sequence in a bx chain provide?

cue for the next element

what does completion of a last element of a sequence in a bx chain produce?

reinforcer

what is chaining?

reinforcement of successive elements of a bx chain

what are elements in chaining?

bxs that are part of repertoire (elements linked together to form more complex bx)

what are elements also called?

links

what is forward chaining?

procedure beginning with 1st element in chain & progresses to last element

what is an example of forward chaining?

• client performers element 1, then reinforce

• client performs elements 1 & 2, then reinforce

• & so on

what is backward chaining?

procedure that begins with last element in chain & progress to 1st element

what link(s) do(es) the therapist complete & not complete?

all but the last

how are additional links added?

in reverse order

what are the rules for chaining?

1. define target bx

2. reinforce successive elements

what is a task analysis?

clearly define & list each link in chain

what may be difficult for some clients?

simple bxs

until when are elements reinforced?

reliability occurs, then move to next