Martina is an animal trainer at Sea World. To teach a new dolphin to jump through a hoop high above the water, Martina first reinforces the dolphin for approaching the hoop while it is under the water. Then, she reinforces the dolphin for swimming through the hoop under water. Gradually raising the hoop, Martina progressively reinforces each small step toward the goal behavior. Martina is using the process of _____ to train the dolphin.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Martina is using shaping to train the dolphin, which involves reinforcing successive approximations to the desired behavior. She first reinforces approaching the hoop under water and then reinforces swimming through the hoop under water, gradually raising the hoop until the dolphin is able to jump through it high above the water. This is a classic example of shaping in action.

Martina Is an Animal Trainer at Sea World