Final answer:
Antecedents may be manipulated through shaping in operant conditioning by reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior, breaking down complex behaviors into manageable steps that lead toward the desired outcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way that antecedents can be manipulated to evoke desired behavior is through the process of shaping. This technique is part of operant conditioning and involves reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior. For example, if one wants a child to clean up their room, rather than waiting for the child to do it all at once and then providing reinforcement, shaping would involve rewarding the child for smaller steps in the right direction, like picking up toys at first and gradually increasing the expectations until the room is cleaned. This method breaks down the behavior into attainable steps, making it easier for the person to learn and exhibit the desired behavior. Shaping is necessary because it is not likely that a person or animal will exhibit a complex behavior spontaneously, and breaking down the behavior into manageable steps can facilitate learning.