Which definition best describes "shaping" in ABA techniques?

Shaping is a technique used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior until the target behavior is achieved. This process relies on gradual changes, where the individual is rewarded for behaviors that are increasingly closer to the final goal.

For instance, if the goal is to have a child learn to tie their shoes, the first step may involve reinforcing them for simply holding the laces, then for crossing them, and gradually moving towards rewarding the completed act of tying the shoes. Each small step is reinforced to guide the individual toward the desired behavior, making it a highly effective method for teaching complex skills.

In this context, other options do not accurately capture the essence of shaping. The sudden change in behavior following punishment does not relate to the gradual process of reinforcing incremental improvements associated with shaping. Mental reinforcement is also not synonymous with shaping, as reinforcement typically refers to tangible behaviors rather than mental processes. Lastly, group rewards focus on collective behavior rather than the individualized, incremental reinforcement that characterizes shaping. Therefore, the correct definition is the one that emphasizes the gradual reinforcement of closer approximations to the desired behavior.