What term describes using stimuli and reinforcement to bring about a change in student behavior?

• A. Modeling
• B. Shaping
• C. Extinction
• D. Fading

Answer: (B)

Shaping is the process of using stimuli and reinforcement to bring about a change in student behavior by rewarding successive approximations toward a target behavior. Start with a small, achievable step the student can do, provide a prompt or cue, and reinforce that step. Then require a slightly closer version, reinforce again, and continue this progression until the full target behavior is learned. This approach directly links reinforcement to the learner’s progress, guiding them step by step toward the goal. Modeling involves demonstration for imitation, extinction means removing reinforcement to reduce a behavior, and fading focuses on gradually removing prompts—each serves a different purpose and doesn’t center on building a new behavior through successive reinforced steps.