Which of the following is an example of shaping?

A) A dog learns to salivate at the sight of a box of dog biscuits.
B) A new driver learns to stop at an intersection when the light changes to red.
C) A parrot is rewarded first for making any sound,then for making a sound similar to "Laura," and then for "speaking" its owner's name.
D) A psychology student reinforces a laboratory rat only occasionally,to make its behavior more resistant to extinction.

Question

Elyse Mutterspaugh · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : C, Explanation :  Shaping involves reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired behavior. In this example, the parrot is gradually shaped to say its owner's name by being initially rewarded for making any sound, then for making a sound similar to Laura, and finally for saying its owner's name.

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