Differential reinforcement is a behavior change technique used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which involves selectively reinforcing desired behaviors while withholding reinforcement for undesired behaviors.
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How To Use
There are five different main types of differential reinforcement. These variations are based on what type of behavior is being reinforced and the schedule of reinforcement.
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA) procedures reduce a problematic behavior by reinforcing an appropriate alternative behavior that serves the same function. Begin by identifying the likely function of the behavior, then choose a behavior that earns the child the same reinforcer as the challenging behavior, but in a more appropriate way, to reinforce. The replacement behavior should be as easy or easier to get the desired outcome as the problem behavior.
Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI) procedures are similar to DRA procedures; however, the behavior you choose is incompatible with the problem behavior. For a behavior to be incompatible, the child cannot perform the chosen action and the problem behavior at the same time. Again, the behavior you select to reinforce should serve the same function as the problem behavior.
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) procedures reinforce the absence of the target problem behavior. This procedure is easy to implement because you aren’t looking to reinforce a specific behavior, rather you provide reinforcement at the end of an interval that was free of the target behavior. Because you are reinforcing the absence of the challenging behavior, it’s not necessary that you accurately identify the function of the behavior. Use DRO for those behaviors that are multiply maintained or where you have been unsuccessful in identifying the function.
Differential Reinforcement of Lower Rates of Behavior (DRL) are used for a behavior you want to reduce but not eliminate. Differential Reinforcement of Diminishing Rates of Behavior (DRD) are a type of DRL where the lowering of behavior rates comes from increasing the time between responses.
Differential Reinforcement of Higher Rates of Behavior (DRH) systematically reinforces incremental increases in the rate of that behavior. This is used when your learner is displaying a behavior, but at a lower rate than you’d like to see.
When To Use
Reducing or eliminating specific behaviors
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) is used when a specific behavior needs to be reduced or eliminated, and there is an alternative behavior that can be reinforced. DRO can be used for self-injurious behaviors, repetitive behaviors, or inappropriate vocalizations.
Reducing behaviors that occur too frequently
Differential Reinforcement of Lowered Rates (DRL) can be used to reduce behaviors that are situationally appropriate, but occur too frequently. DRL can be used for behaviors like asking for help, raising a hand to answer questions, eating, or completing homework.
Increasing the rate of a target behavior
Differential Reinforcement of High Rates (DRH) can be used to increase the rate of a target behavior. For example, a child who eats slowly at lunch can be reinforced for taking bites at a faster rate.
Variations
DRH = when you want to increase the rate of a behavior
DHI = when you want to substitute a behavior but don’t have a functional replacement
DHL = when you want to decrease the rate of a behavior, but don’t want to eliminate it
DRO = when you want to eliminate a behavior
DRA = when you want to increase a behavior to functionally replace it in a more appropriate way
Additional Resources
Steps
- Define the target behavior
- Identify the function(s) of the target behavior (Optional for DRO)
- Choose reinforcers
- Collect baseline data
- Determine the type of differential reinforcement procedure you will use
- Set the criteria
- Determine your procedures
- Implement the intervention
- Collect and analyze data
- Make changes as needed
Summary
Differential reinforcement is a behavior change technique that involves reinforcing desirable behaviors and withholding reinforcement for undesirable behaviors. Differential reinforcement procedures are used within teaching, while shaping skills to be closer and closer to the goal / terminal performance criteria.
Credits
The contents of this handout were developed under a grant from the Nebraska Department of Education, IDEA parts B and C from the U.S. Department of Education. However, this content does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
Research
Boudreau, B. A., Vladescu, J. C., Kodak, T. M., Argott, P. J., & Kisamore, A. N. (2015///Winter). A COMPARISON OF DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT PROCEDURES WITH CHILDREN WITH AUTISM. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 48(4), 918-923. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.232
Hausman, N. L., Ingvarsson, E. T., & Kahng, S. (2014). A comparison of reinforcement schedules to increase independent responding in individuals with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 155-159. doi: 10.1002/jaba.85
https://www.nu.edu/blog/what-is-differential-reinforcement/#:~:text=Differential%20reinforcement%20is%20a%20behavior,withholding%20reinforcement%20for%20undesired%20behaviors.
Vladescu, J. C., & Kodak, T. (2010///Summer). A REVIEW OF RECENT STUDIES ON DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT DURING SKILL ACQUISITION IN EARLY INTERVENTION. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43(2), 351-5. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/review-recent-studies-on-differential/docview/520098743/se-2