Which of the following behaviors would be best reinforced using a shaping method?

Shaping is a technique used in operant conditioning to reinforce successive approximations toward a target behavior. This method is particularly effective in complex behaviors that are difficult to teach all at once.

Riding a bicycle is an excellent example of a behavior that can be effectively reinforced through shaping. Initially, a learner may start simply by balancing on the bike with support, which would be the first approximation. As the learner becomes more proficient, reinforcement can be provided for gradually more complex steps, such as pedaling, steering, and eventually riding independently. Each step is built upon the success of the previous one, allowing the individual to incrementally develop the overall skill of bicycle riding.

In contrast, the other options involve skills that may not be easily broken down into small, sequential steps that can be reinforced one at a time. Although math problems, essays, and drawing can also be taught through practice, they typically require more cognitive processes and might not follow a clear step-by-step reinforcement structure in the same way riding a bicycle does.