Using shaping to get a person to increase the strength of her grip would be an example of shaping a(n):
A) novel behavior
B) a new dimension of an existing behavior
C) undesirable behavior
D) respondent behavior

Question

Using shaping to get a person to increase the strength of her grip would be an example of shaping a(n):​
A) ​novel behavior
B) ​a new dimension of an existing behavior
C) ​undesirable behavior
D) ​respondent behavior

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior. In this case, the person already has the behavior of gripping, but shaping can be used to increase the strength of the grip, which would be a new dimension of an existing behavior. A novel behavior would be something new that the person has not done before. Undesirable behavior would be a behavior that is unwanted and needs to be decreased. Respondent behavior refers to automatic reflexes or responses to stimuli.

Using Shaping to Get a Person to Increase the Strength