Which approach is commonly used to help clients learn new skills gradually?

The approach known as shaping is essential in helping clients learn new skills gradually by reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior. This technique breaks down a complex skill into smaller, more manageable steps, allowing the client to master each step before moving on to the next one.

Through shaping, a therapist or technician can provide positive reinforcement for any action that is closer to the final goal, encouraging the client to progressively refine their abilities. This gradual process builds confidence and competence, making it an effective strategy for skill acquisition.

In contrast, positive reinforcement involves strengthening a desired behavior after it occurs but does not involve the incremental approach that shaping provides. Extinction focuses on reducing undesired behaviors by withholding reinforcement, which doesn't facilitate skill learning. Modeling involves demonstrating a behavior so that the client can imitate it, but it does not structure the learning process into manageable steps as shaping does.