Dr. Soreth is teaching a pigeon to peck a green button. First she reinforces the pigeon for turning toward the green button, the
n for approaching the button, and so on in very small steps. She does this until the pigeon is successfully and consistently pecking the button. What principle of learning is Dr. Soreth using
Shaping also called successive approximation in the principle of learning is a method for directing and reinforcing an appropriate behavior which is geared at assisting the subject in learning and improving goals for desired behavior through constant guidance and direction until the subject achieves effectiveness in the certain behavior.
Shaping even though used as a tool for improving human behavior is commonly adopted in training animals to learn new tasks.
