Differential reinforcement

By Lindsay Wellman, BCaBA at Puzzle Box Academy

Differential reinforcement is a procedure commonly used in applied behavior analysis designed to decrease or eliminate undesired behaviors.? There are many different variations of differential reinforcement procedures.

Three of the most common are differential reinforcement of other behaviors, differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors, and differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors.

Differential reinforcement of other behaviors (DRO)

A specific undesired behavior is chosen to be targeted and ANY behavior besides the targeted undesired behavior are reinforced. ?First, the provider takes baseline data on how often the behavior occurs. Then, they designate an interval at or below the baseline rate. If the learner does not engage in the targeted behavior during that interval, reinforcement is delivered.

Example: Ava has been biting peers in her preschool classroom. Ava’s teacher takes baseline data and finds that Ava bites peers approximately once every 10 minutes. The teacher chooses an interval of 9 minutes because it is slightly below the baseline rate. Every 9 minutes that Ava does not bite a peer her teacher gives her a sticker.

While DRO is relatively straightforward to implement, a disadvantage to this procedure is that there is a potential to inadvertently reinforce another undesired behavior.? If this happens, the provider will need to evaluate if DRO is still appropriate or if there is a more suitable intervention that can be implemented.

Example: Ava engages in a tantrum for 9 minutes where she screams, throws chairs, and elopes from the room but does not bite any peers. Her teacher gives her a sticker at the end of the 9 minute interval because even though Ava engaged in problem behavior the whole time she did not engage in the targeted behavior of biting. Ava’s tantrums then increase because she is receiving a sticker even when she tantrums.

Differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors (DRA)

An alternative to the undesired behavior is taught and reinforced. This behavior usually serves the same function as the initial undesired behavior.? A benefit to this type of differential reinforcement is that it helps the learner to meet their needs in a more desirable manner.

Example: Elijah screams and runs out of the classroom to escape hearing a peer crying. Elijah’s aide teaches him to ask for a walk when his peer starts crying. Every time Elijah asks for a walk instead of running out of the classroom, Elijah’s aide takes him for a walk thus reinforcing the behavior of asking.

Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI)

A behavior incompatible with the undesired behavior is taught and reinforced. When engaging in incompatible behavior, the learner is unable to complete the undesired behavior.? This behavior does not need to be functionally equivalent to the undesired behavior.? An advantage to this type of differential reinforcement is that learner is physically unable to complete the undesired behavior while engaging in the incompatible behavior. A disadvantage to this type of reinforcement is it does not help the learner to meet the need that the undesired behavior was meeting.

Example: Noah pulls out his hair when anxious. Noah’s therapist teaches him to clap his hands instead and provides verbal praise when she observes Noah clapping his hands. Noah is physically unable to pull out his hair while clapping his hands at the same time so the behavior of hair pulling decreases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, differential reinforcement is a useful tool for reducing undesired behaviors and can sometimes be used to increase desired behavior. ?Each type of differential reinforcement has advantages and disadvantages.

A provider should always prioritize safety when choosing a behavior reduction procedure. The provider should also consider frequency, magnitude, and function of the undesired behavior when choosing an appropriate intervention.