Summer is teaching herself to type using a computer software package. The first time she used the program, the sentences she was supposed to type scrolled very slowly across the computer screen and when she finished the computer played a clapping sound. However, now she has to type the material faster than her previous "best time" before the computer plays the clapping sound. This computer software package incorporates
A) classical conditioning.
B) modeling.
C) shaping.
D) negative reinforcement.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The computer software program is using shaping to gradually increase the speed at which Summer needs to type in order to receive positive reinforcement (the clapping sound). Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of the desired behavior, which in this case is typing at a faster speed. The slower scrolling at the beginning may have been an example of modeling, where Summer was shown an example of what to do, but the use of shaping is what is causing her to improve her typing speed over time. Classical conditioning and negative reinforcement are not applicable to this scenario.

Summer Is Teaching Herself to Type Using a Computer Software