ABA Exam CoachLessons · G. Behavior-Change Procedures
G.11 · Shaping dimensions of behavior
What if the behavior you want is already there, just too short, too slow, or too quiet? Today we'll shape one dimension of a behavior a little at a time, so it gets where you need it without ever asking for a different behavior.
Key takeaway
Shaping is the differential reinforcement of successive approximations: reinforce responses that meet the current criterion, and put responses that met only an earlier criterion on extinction. When the form of the response stays the same and only a dimension changes (rate, duration, latency, IRT, or magnitude), that's shaping within a response topography. Start with a criterion the learner already meets some of the time, move it in small steps toward the goal (up or down), and drop back to an easier criterion if responding breaks down.
Shaping is the differential reinforcement of successive approximations: reinforce responses that meet the current criterion, and put responses that met only an earlier criterion on extinction. When the form of the response stays the same and only a dimension changes (rate, duration, latency, IRT, or magnitude), that's shaping within a response topography. Start with a criterion the learner already meets some of the time, move it in small steps toward the goal (up or down), and drop back to an easier criterion if responding breaks down.
Members get the full lesson video, notes and a 5-question test
The video walks through the idea, worked examples, the trap people fall into and an exam-style question. The notes and the checkpoint come with it, and your results feed your Where to focus plan.