What does shaping involve in behavioral therapy?

Shaping is a technique used in behavioral therapy that focuses on gradually modifying behavior by reinforcing successive approximations toward a desired goal. This means that reinforcement is provided when an individual makes progress toward the target behavior, rather than only reaching the final goal.

For example, if the goal is to teach a child to clean their room, the therapist might first reinforce the child for picking up a single toy, then for picking up multiple toys, and finally for cleaning the entire room. This step-by-step reinforcement encourages continued progress and helps the individual learn the desired behavior in manageable increments.

The other choices do not accurately represent the purpose of shaping. Rewards for immediate success alone do not account for the gradual steps required in shaping behavior. Reinforcement at fixed intervals may not effectively promote gradual improvement, as it can lead to inconsistent behavior changes. Lastly, using punishment for failure is counterproductive in the context of shaping, which focuses on positive reinforcement to encourage progress rather than penalizing non-compliance.