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Definition

Successive Approximations

In the context of shaping, successive approximations are the series of small, incremental behaviors that gradually lead toward a desired target behavior. The process involves reinforcing these intermediate steps, but as the organism's behavior gets closer to the target, reinforcement for previously rewarded, less accurate behaviors is withdrawn. This selective reinforcement of progressively more precise actions guides the organism toward the ultimate goal.

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Updated 2026-01-15

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