What behavior-modification technique involves progressively fading support until a skill can be performed independently?

The behavior-modification technique that involves progressively fading support until a skill can be performed independently is known as fading. This approach is essential in the learning process, particularly in situations where individuals are acquiring new skills or behaviors. By gradually reducing the level of assistance or guidance, fading allows individuals to gain the necessary confidence and competence to perform the task on their own.

This method is often used in various settings, such as educational environments and therapeutic interventions, to ensure that the individual does not become overly reliant on support and can ultimately achieve self-sufficiency. The process is systematic and involves a careful assessment of the individual's ability, allowing for the gradual decrease of support tailored to their pace of learning.

In contrast, the other techniques mentioned, while beneficial in their own right, do not specifically focus on the gradual withdrawal of assistance. Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations toward a desired behavior, modeling entails demonstrating a behavior for someone to imitate, and continuous reinforcement refers to consistently providing rewards for a behavior, which does not inherently include the concept of fading support.