a method of shaping operant behavior by reinforcing responses similar to the desired behavior. Later, only responses closely approximating the desired behavior are reinforced. ... The process gradually leads to the desired behavior.

What is the meaning of successive approximation?

n. A method for estimating the value of an unknown quantity by repeated comparison to a sequence of known quantities.

What is successive approximation example?

Let's use the definition of “shaping” to explain successive approximations. In this example, each time the rat is rewarded, it is being rewarded for a "successive approximation", or for acting in a way that gets closer and closer to the desired behavior. ...