Five-year-old Trevor is emotionally disturbed and refuses to communicate with anyone.To get him to speak,his teacher initially gives him candy for any utterance,then only for a clearly spoken word,and finally only for a complete sentence.The teacher is using the method of
A) secondary reinforcement.
B) delayed reinforcement.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) shaping.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The teacher is using shaping, a behavioral technique that involves reinforcing and gradually shaping behaviors that approximate a desired behavior through successive approximations. In this case, the teacher is reinforcing Trevor's communication skills by giving him candy for any utterance, then only for a clearly spoken word, and finally only for a complete sentence, in order to shape his behavior towards the desired outcome of complete sentences.

Five-Year-Old Trevor Is Emotionally Disturbed and Refuses to Communicate with Anyone.To