Sam is teaching his dog to sit up and beg. First, he gives his dog a treat for just sitting. Then he makes the dog raise up one paw after it sits before giving it a treat. Finally, he gives the dog a treat only when the dog sits up and raises both paws. What term BEST describes this process?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shaping is a process in behavioral psychology where successive approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced. Sam is using shaping by gradually requiring more complex actions from his dog before giving a treat, starting from sitting, to raising one paw, and finally to sitting up and raising both paws.

Sam Is Teaching His Dog to Sit Up and Beg