Abstract
Shaping is engrained within the history of behavior analysis and applied behavior analysis (ABA). The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief history of the discovery of shaping, a description of a select sample of research on shaping, and research and practice recommendations for shaping. Specifically, this chapter provides a brief overview and implications of Peterson’s (Peterson, The Clicker Journal: The Magazine for Animal Trainers, 43:6–13, 2000) exploration of Skinner’s discovery of shaping. Several research examples including autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as well nonhuman animals are described in detail. Shaping is also explored as an evidence-based practice using two commonly used resources evaluating the evidence base of various procedures for individuals diagnosed with ASD. The chapter concludes with recommendations for future research and practice, keeping in mind that the most important recommendation for those seeking to become fluent, effective shapers is to shape, and shape often.
Author Note
The contents of this chapter would not have been possible without the mentorship of Shahla Ala’i and Jesus Rosales-Ruiz to whom I’d like to express my deepest gratitude.
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Notes
- 1.
The reader is strongly encouraged to contact the original manuscript.
- 2.
It is important to note that this chapter focuses on response shaping as opposed to stimulus control shaping (McIlvane & Dube, 1992).
- 3.
This terminology was selected to adhere to the seventh edition of the American Psychological Association Publication Manual and to be inclusive of those who prefer person-first and identity-first language. When discussing prior research, the terminology used within that research is used.
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Cihon, J.H. (2022). Shaping: A Brief History, Research Overview, and Recommendations. In: Leaf, J.B., Cihon, J.H., Ferguson, J.L., Weiss, M.J. (eds) Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis Interventions for Autism. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96478-8_21
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