What is the primary strategy used in shaping behavior?

The primary strategy used in shaping behavior is the reinforcement of successive approximations toward the desired behavior. This process involves gradually guiding an individual's actions closer to a target behavior by reinforcing incremental steps or behaviors that resemble the final outcome.

For example, if teaching a child to complete a puzzle, the instructor might first reward them for simply picking up a piece, then for fitting a piece into the puzzle, and finally for completing the entire puzzle. Each step represents a closer approximation to the desired behavior of completing the puzzle, and reinforcement is provided at each stage to encourage progress.

This method stands out because it does not require the learner to immediately perform the final behavior; instead, it allows for gradual improvement and mastery, making it especially effective in teaching complex behaviors or tasks.