In shaping behavior, a DSP must reinforce what specific behavior?

In shaping behavior, it is essential to reinforce successive attempts towards a desired behavior. This method allows for the gradual improvement and learning process as the individual works towards mastering a specific skill or action. By reinforcing these successive behaviors, the Direct Support Professional encourages the individual to progress at their own pace, which ultimately leads to the desired behavior being achieved.

This approach is critical because it acknowledges that behavior change and skill acquisition rarely happen in a straight line. Instead, improvement often comes in small steps, where each positive movement in the right direction is recognized and rewarded. This reinforces the idea that striving towards a goal is important, not just the achievement of the final outcome. By focusing on these incremental changes, the DSP can effectively support the individual’s learning and growth, fostering confidence and motivation along the way.

The other options suggest a more limited or inappropriate approach to reinforcement. Only reinforcing the final successful action does not support the learning process as it overlooks important steps along the way. Reinforcing all attempts equally ignores the importance of incremental progress and can lead to confusion about which behaviors should be continued or adjusted. Focusing solely on initial attempts would fail to recognize and support the ongoing development necessary for achieving more complex behaviors.