Is this a valid example of 'shaping' in psychology?

Question

"You are a very good bowler now, but you did not start out that way. Your father reinforced you for each small improvement you made over several months."

Answer 1

Yes, as a certified professional dog trainer, I can tell you this is a good example, especially if you can define your goal behavior in terms of a specific skill in bowling. Shaping is the reinforcement of successive approximations of a goal behavior.

Answer 2

Shaping is about the steps taken to bring about the desired behavior. I don't know if your teacher would accept that particular learned behavior because it is geared toward a physical sport not psychology. But here goes.The father may have had to show the child how to stand, how to throw the ball, and when to let it go as he or she threw it down the lane. They may have had to practice this quite a bit for the child to bowl a complete game. Then they may have needed to play many games for the child to become a good bowler. That is 'shaping' if your teacher is willing to let you apply it to that. It is usually used in regard to behavior. Pavlov's salivating dogs were an example of shaping behavior.

 

 

Gina  B.A. LSW Dayton, OH

Answer 3

I was also going to suggest Pavlovs dogs as an example of shaping behavior.

 

An individual will do  actions to get a desired behavior from another individual.