ABSTRACT

Shaping through differential reinforcement of successive approximations to a target response has been a cornerstone procedure for the training of novel behavior. However, much of how it has traditionally been implemented occurs through informal observation, rather than any direct, systematic measurement. In the following study, an African crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) was trained to touch and hold to a target for 30 s. A changing-criterion design with one reversal was used to assess the success of the shaping procedure and empirically examine the effects of the shaping procedure during each step of the program. The study allowed for the examination of each approximation across all other approximations, as well as across aberrant (e.g., trial-terminating) responses. The design and procedure allow for a simple and systematic way to examine the effects and success of shaping procedures across a variety of settings, species, and purposes.

摘要

通过对目标响应的逐次逼近的差分强化来塑造已经成为训练新行为的基石程序。然而，传统上它的大部分实施方式是通过非正式观察而不是任何直接、系统的测量来实现的。在以下研究中，一只非洲凤头豪猪（Hystrix cristata) 被训练触摸并按住目标 30 秒。使用具有一次逆转的变化标准设计来评估塑形程序的成功，并凭经验检查塑形程序在程序的每个步骤中的效果。该研究允许检查所有其他近似值以及异常（例如，试验终止）响应中的每个近似值。设计和程序允许一种简单和系统的方法来检查跨各种环境、物种和目的的塑造程序的效果和成功。