10 Laws of Shaping

By Karen Pryor

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1. Raise criteria in increments small enough that the subject always has realistic chance for reinforcement

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2. Train one aspect of any particular behavior at a time; don't try to shape for two criteria at the same time.

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3. Put a behavior on variable reinforcement schedule before adding or raising criteria

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4. When introducing a new criterion or aspect of the behavioral skill, temporarily relax the old ones.

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5. Stay ahead of your subject: Plan your shaping program completely so that if the subject makes sudden progress, you know what to reinforce next.

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6. Don't change trainers midstream; you can have multiple trainers per trainee but stick to one shaper per behavior.

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7. If your shaping procedure is not showing progress; switch to another. There are many ways to reach a desired behavior.

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8. Don't interrupt training; it can be a punishment

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9. If behavior deteriorates, "go back to square one" review the whole shaping process with a series of easily earned reinforcers

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10. End each session on a high note but also quit while your ahead.

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