Summer is teaching herself to type using a computer software package. The first time she used the program, the sentences she was supposed to type scrolled very slowly across the computer screen and when she finished the computer played a clapping sound. However, now she has to type the material faster than her previous "best time" before the computer plays the clapping sound. Which of the following techniques is incorporated in this software package?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This software package is incorporating shaping, which is a technique in which behavior is gradually shaped by reinforcing closer and closer approximations to the desired behavior. In this case, Summer is expected to type faster than her previous best time, which is a closer approximation to the desired behavior. The clapping sound is a positive reinforcement that encourages her to continue improving until she reaches the desired speed. Modelling, negative reinforcement, and classical conditioning are not evident in this scenario.

Summer Is Teaching Herself to Type Using a Computer Software