Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) Practice Test

What is shaping primarily concerned with?

1. Reinforcing all behaviors

2. The differential reinforcement of successive approximations toward a terminal behavior

3. Immediate reinforcement of responses

4. Punishing undesired behaviors

The correct answer is: The differential reinforcement of successive approximations toward a terminal behavior

Shaping is primarily concerned with the differential reinforcement of successive approximations toward a terminal behavior. This technique involves progressively reinforcing behaviors that are closer to a desired behavior, allowing for gradual improvement over time. For example, if the goal is to teach a child to say "hello," the teacher might first reinforce the child for simply making a sound. Once the child consistently produces a sound, reinforcement would then be given for more closely mimicking the word "hello," and so on, until the child is capable of saying "hello" correctly. This approach contrasts with the reinforcement of all behaviors, which would not lead to specific skill acquisition or quality improvement. Immediate reinforcement of responses focuses on the timing of reinforcement rather than the gradual development of a behavior. Punishing undesired behaviors does not align with shaping, as shaping is positively focused, emphasizing the reinforcement of desired behaviors rather than the punishment of the undesired ones.