Shaping, Chaining, Task Analysis, and Group Contingencies

What is shaping in behavioural psychology?

Reinforcing successive approximations of a target behaviour while extinguishing previous approximations.

Example: Teaching a child to eat an orange by reinforcing steps from touching to swallowing.

Name 5 dimensions of behaviour that can be shaped.

1. Topography (form)

2. Frequency (rate)

3. Duration (time spent)

4. Latency (time to initiate)

5. Magnitude (intensity)

Define a behaviour chain and give a daily example.

A sequence of linked behaviours where each response cues the next, leading to a final reinforcer.

Example: Making tea (boil water → add tea bag → pour milk → stir).

What is task analysis, and how is it created?

Breaking a complex skill into smaller steps via:

1. Observing experts.

2. Consulting professionals.

3. Self-performing the task.

Compare forward, backward, and total task chaining.

Forward: Teach steps 1→2→3 (natural order).

Backward: Complete steps until the last (e.g., "Turn on PC" taught last in internet access).

Total Task: Teach all steps simultaneously with prompts.

How was backward chaining used in the IDD case study?

Adults learned internet access by mastering the final step first (opening websites), then progressively earlier steps (e.g., turning on PC).

What are the three types of group contingencies?

Independent: Individuals earn rewards separately (e.g., stars for quiet students).

Dependent: Group reward hinges on one member's success (e.g., class party if one student improves).

Interdependent: All members must meet criteria (e.g., phone time only if no one uses phones in class).

Describe the interdependent contingency in the mobile phone study.

Teens earned 10 minutes of phone time only if no one used phones during class. Reduced usage by 85%.

Why is shaping useful for early learners?

It doesn't require imitation skills; builds behaviours gradually (e.g., teaching toothbrushing via small steps).

When would you use total task presentation?

For learners who can attempt all steps but need prompts (e.g., cooking with visual recipes).

What are FBT Chains?

F - Forward (1→2→3)

B - Backward (3→2→1)

T - Total Task (all at once)