Association of Social Work Boards Masters (ASWB MSW) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the ASWB Masters Exam. Prepare with comprehensive questions and detailed explanations to strengthen your knowledge. Get set for your exam!

Start Multiple Choice Practice Test
Start Flash Cards

Practice this question and more.

What does shaping in behavior modification involve?

  1. Withholding rewards until the behavior ceases

  2. Introducing an aversive stimulus

  3. Reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior

  4. Exposing an individual to their fear

The correct answer is: Reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior

Shaping in behavior modification involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior. This means that the individual is rewarded for making small steps towards the desired behavior, rather than waiting for the behavior to be fully achieved. Withholding rewards until the behavior ceases (A) may discourage the individual from attempting the desired behavior, while introducing an aversive stimulus (B) may cause fear or negative associations with the desired behavior. Exposing an individual to their fear (D) is a type of therapy that is not necessarily related to behavior modification or shaping.

More Questions Like This