SM

Shaping

Definition (#f7aeae)

Important (#edcae9)

Extra (#fffe9d)

Learning outcomes:

  1. What is shaping.

  2. How to shape.

  3. How complex human behaviors are the result of reinforcement.

Shaping New Behavior:

  • Shaping behavior is the reinforcement of successive approximation of a desired behavior.

  • Shaping is not just an instructional tool; it’s a naturally occuring phenomena.

  • It’s the means by which new forms of behavior are drawn from old forms of behavior.

How to Shape:

  1. Reinforce small steps.

  2. Reinforce immediately.

  3. Give small reinforcements.

  4. Reinforce any successful approximation.

  5. Be willing to go back.

Chaining:

  • A series of behavior.

  • To shape a series of behavior:

    • Break down the behavior; task analysis.

    • Forward or backward chaining.

  • Each step is reinforced by the opportunity to perform the next step.

  • The last act of the chain is the primary reinforcer.

Insightful problem solving:

  • A problem is a situation in which reinforcement is available but the behavior necessary to produce it is not.

  • Insight is a solution without the benefit of learning,

  • The best known experiment on insightful problem solving are those by Wolfgang Kohler. 

Creativity:

  • It includes:

    • Novelty, originality, reinforcement.

  • Karen Pryor (1969) demonstrated that creative behavior can reinforced in dolphins.

Superstition:

  • Superstitious behavior is any behavior that occurs repeatedly even though it doesn’t produce the reinforcers that maintain it.

  • i.e coincidental reinforcement.

Helplessness:

  • Martin Seligman wanted to fear conditioning on operant escaping.

  • If people can learn to be helpless, then people learn to be hopeful.

  • Dogs in electrified cage at first not able to escape the impending shock. Later, they had to cross to the other side, but they didn’t even try.