Behavior reduction - Differential Reinforcement Procedures

Question 1

Define Differential Reinforcement

Answer 1

Providing the functional reinforcer contingent on performance of positive skills/behaviors while withholding that same reinforcer contingent on target negative behaviors.

i.e.
Any time you provide better reinforcers for one type of performance while providing lesser reinforcement (or no reinforcement) for another type of performance. Can be an “all or nothing” arrangement or along a gradient.

Question 2

Define Differential Reinforcement of Alternative behaviors (DRA)

Answer 2

Providing a functional reinforcer contingent on a specific ALTERNATIVE/Replacement behavior while withholding that reinforcer contingent on target negative behavior.

ie
Access as Reinforcer- withholding access to the iPad following instances of screaming while trying to grab the iPad from your hand, while providing access to the iPad following instances of calmly saying “iPad please.”

Question 3

Define Differential Reinforcement of Other behaviors (DRO)

Answer 3

Providing functional reinforcer contingent on any behavior OTHER than target negative behavior while withholding that Reinforcer following instances of said negative behavior.

ie
Access as reinforcer- providing access to iPad on a VI (variable interval) schedule in the absence of screaming and trying to grab it (regardless of what other behaviors occur during that time) and withholding access following instances of screaming and grabbing.

Attention as Reinforcer- Johnny gets attention from staff on a FI (fixed interval) schedule in the absence of swiping materials (regardless of what behavior is occurring other than swiping) but no attention following instances of swiping.

Question 4

Define Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behaviors. (DRI)

Answer 4

Providing functional Reinforcer contingent on specific behavior(s) that are INCOMPATIBLE with the target negative behavior and withholding the Reinforcer following instances of said negative behavior.

ie
Access as Reinforcer- providing access to iPad contingent on exchanging a picture card (which is physically incompatible with grabbing at the iPad) and withholding access to the iPad following instances of grabbing at it.

Escape as a Reinforcer- providing escape from work contingent on writing on worksheet while withholding escape following instances of throwing the pencil.

Question 5

Define Behavior Reduction Plan

Answer 5

A written description of the behavior to be reduced, the baseline rate of the behaviors, the antecedent, consequence and replacement behavior interventions necessary to address the need and the plan for monitoring the effectiveness of the behavior reduction plan.

Development of these plans is the primary role of the BCBA. RBTs should understand the components, how to read such plans and how to implement programming based on the behavior reduction plan.

Question 6

What are the necessary components of a behavior reduction plan?

hint:

1) Op_____ def____ of t____ behavior
2) B____line data
3) Op_____ def____ of re_____ behavior
4) Pro____ resp____ for when target behavior occurs
5) ____grammed ___sponce for when t___ b___ ceases
6) P___ r___ for when repl____ behavior occurs
7) What d___ to record and when
8) Plan for eval___ eff_____
9) Plan for f___ing components of plan

Answer 6

1) operational definition of the target behavior- objective, observable definition of the behavior targeted for reduction, including enough detail to ensure multiple people can identify occurrence and non-occurrence with reliability and high observer agreement

2) baseline data- objective/quantifiable data describing the rate of the target challenging behavior prior to intervention
What are the necessary components of a behavior reduction plan?

3) Operational definition of replacement behavior(s)-
Objective & observable definition of an appropriate alternative behavior to replace the maladaptive behavior, including enough detail to ensure multiple people can identify occurrence and non-occurrence
with reliability and high inter­-observer agreement (e.g., target IOA often 80% or better)

4) Programmed response for when the target behavior occurs- Description of exactly what staff, family members, etc. should do following occurrence of the challenging behavior

5) Programmed response for when the target behavior
ceases- Description of what staff, family members, etc. should do when instances of target challenging behavior has ceased

6) Programmed response for when replacement behavior occurs- Description of what staff, family members, etc. should do following
occurrence of the target replacement behaviors

7) What data to record and when- Description of exactly what data will be recorded and in what way it will be tracked What are the necessary components of a behavior reduction plan?

8) Plan for evaluating effectiveness- Target reduction rate should be set at the outset of intervention and a
system for graphing/reviewing data for progress should be in place

9) Plan for fading components of the plan- Description of steps to fade out each intervention component, including how to know when it is appropriate to fade the components, the order in which they will be faded, etc.