Author Question: Describe how shaping might be used to develop a problem behavior. Provide an example. What will ... (Read 106 times)

bobthebuilder · **on:** Jun 21, 2018

Describe how shaping might be used to develop a problem behavior. Provide an example.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

The tokens that are selected for use in a token economy must be:

a. intangible
b. convenient to dispense
c. difficult to accumulate
d. available from outside sources

voltaire123 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 21, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Joey is a 25-year-old make with severe mental retardation who works in a sheltered workshop for individuals with developmental disabilities. At times Joey starts to sing loudly during working times, at which point staff immediately go over to Joey and explain why he can't sing during work. A psychologist was consulted to address Joey's problem behavior. Upon identifying that the problem behavior was being maintained by staff attention, the psychologist recommended that the staff ignore Joey's singing. When the staff ignored Joey's singing, an extinction burst occurred in which Joey escalated to screaming loudly and running around the room. At that point staff approached Joey and tried to calm him down by talking to him and patting him on the back (attention). As a result, the staff has shaped a more severe problem behavior.

Answer to Question 2

b