What term refers to the process of reinforcing progressive steps toward a behavioral goal?

The term that refers to the process of reinforcing progressive steps toward a behavioral goal is shaping. This technique is widely used in behavioral psychology to teach complex behaviors by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable components. Each small success or approximation toward the desired behavior is reinforced, which encourages the individual to continue progressing toward the ultimate goal.

For example, if the goal is to train a dog to fetch a specific item, shaping would involve rewarding the dog for each incremental step, such as approaching the item, picking it up, and finally bringing it back to the owner. This gradual reinforcement helps to build the overall behavior through successive approximations.

Understanding the concept of shaping is essential for applying operant conditioning effectively, as it illustrates how behavior can be developed over time through carefully structured reinforcement strategies.