Question

an animal trainer is teaching a miniature poodle to balance a ball. initially, he gives the poodle a treat for approaching the ball, then only for placing its front paws on the ball, and finally only for climbing on the ball. the trainer is specifically using the method of: a) shaping b) positive reinforcement c) negative reinforcement d) punishment

Explanation:

Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior. The trainer rewards the poodle for approaching the ball (first approximation), then placing paws on it (closer approximation), and finally climbing on it (target behavior), which matches the definition of shaping. Positive reinforcement is a component but not the specific method here; negative reinforcement and punishment are unrelated as no aversive stimuli are removed or applied.

Answer:

A) Shaping