Shaping (Psychology)

Shaping is an operant conditioning procedure, introduced by B.F. Skinner, in which a new behavior is built up gradually by reinforcing successive approximations that move progressively closer to a desired final behavior while withholding reinforcement for less accurate attempts. Skinner illustrated the method by training a pigeon to peck a spot, first reinforcing any turn toward it, then only a turn accompanied by forward movement, and finally only contact with the spot itself. The technique is widely used in animal training and in applied behavior analysis to teach behaviors a learner cannot yet perform in full.