What is the term used to describe a procedure in which a reinforcer is given for responses that get progressively closer to the desired behavior?

The term that describes a procedure in which a reinforcer is given for responses that get progressively closer to the desired behavior is referred to as shaping. This technique is commonly used in behavioral psychology to teach new behaviors by reinforcing successive approximations toward the target behavior.

In shaping, the process begins with a baseline behavior that may not resemble the desired behavior at first but is close enough to serve as a starting point. As the individual makes incremental improvements toward the desired behavior, each step is rewarded. This not only helps in learning complex behaviors that might be too difficult to achieve directly, but it also emphasizes the importance of reinforcement in promoting behavior change.

For instance, if the goal is to train a dog to roll over, the initial reward might be given for simply lying down, then for rolling onto its side, and finally for completing the roll. This method is effective in creating a gradual path to learning that engages the learner and encourages progress.

Other options do not define this specific process. Conditioning refers more broadly to the process of learning associations between stimuli and responses, modeling involves learning by imitation, and feedback typically relates to information provided about performance or behavior rather than reinforcement of successive approximations.