In the field of psychology shaping can be defined as a differential reinforcement of a
series of approximations utilized for conditioning a person to display a new behavior period.
Differential reinforcement involves the key concepts of reinforcement and extinction
(Miltenberger, 2016). Differential reinforcement happens when a certain behavior is the only
behavior rewarded in certain conditions. As a result, the behavior that obtains reinforcement
grows, whereas the unreinforced behavior is exterminated (Miltenberger, 2016). B. F. Skinner, a
psychologist, popularized the term as part of the theory of operant conditioning (Peterson, 2018).
In behavioral psychology shaping refers to the process of establishing an operant behavior with a
sequence of successive approximations toward the intended response. Responses get closer and
closer until the intended response is attained (Peterson, 2018).
WWII Pigeon Project
The military funded Skinner's initiative to train pigeons to steer missiles across the air
during WWII (Schultz-Figueroa, 2019). Skinner trained pigeons to strike a small, movable object
beneath a glass screen using a device that made a clicking noise. Skinner proposed that the birds,
who were positioned right in front of the screen inside a projectile, would perceive enemy
torpedoes as particles on the glass and would immediately begin pecking at them (Schultz-
Figueroa, 2019). The missile would then be directed toward the attacker by their movements:
Pecks in the middle of the screen would force the rocket's trajectory to fly straight, however
pecks outside the center would trigger it to tilt and change direction. Skinner was able to teach
one bird to peck at a certain location more than once (Schultz-Figueroa, 2019).
My Shaping Experience
When my kids are out of school for the summer, they can stay up until 11:00 PM. As time
goes by and it is time for school to start back, I start shaping them back into nine o'clock
bedtime. Two months before school starts back, I start making them go to bed at 10:30
and then 10:00 then 9:30 and then we finally get to the much hated 9:00 bedtime.
References
Koren, M. (2013, March 20). B.F. Skinner: The Man Who Taught Pigeons to Play Ping-Pong
and Rats to Pull Levers. Smithsonian; Smithsonian.com.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/bf-skinner-the-man-who-taught-
pigeons-to-play-ping-pong-and-rats-to-pull-levers-5363946/
Miltenberger, R. G. (2016). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures (6th ed.). Cengage
Learning.
Peterson, G. B. (2010). The Discovery of Shaping: B.F. Skinner’s Big Surprise.
http://www.behavior.org/resources/453.pdf
Schultz-Figueroa, B. (2019). Project Pigeon: Rendering the War Animal through Optical
Technology. , (4), 92–111. JCMS: Journal of Cinema and Media Studies 58
https://doi.org/10.1353/cj.2019.0059
