This paper focuses on resolving the identification problem of a neuro-fuzzymodel (NFM) applied in batch processes. A hybrid learning algorithm is introduced to identify the proposed NFM with the idea of auxiliary error model and the identification principle based on the probability density function (PDF). The main contribution is that the NFM parameter updating approach is transformed into the shape control for the PDF of modeling error. More specifically, a virtual adaptive control system is constructed with the aid of the auxiliary error model and then the PDF shape control idea is used to tune NFM parameters so that the PDF of modeling error is controlled to follow a targeted PDF, which is in Gaussian or uniform distribution. Examples are used to validate the applicability of the proposed method and comparisons are made with the minimum mean square error based approaches. (C) 2015 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.