Chapter 12

Question 1

Define limited-responding DRL, and give an example.

Answer 1

• Limited-responding DRL is one type of DRL that specifies a maximum allowable number of responses during a certain time interval in order for a reinforcer to occur.
• Example: An interval of 50 minutes was specified and a reinforcer occurred at the end of the interval if it contained three or fewer talk-outs.

Question 2

Define spaced-responding DRL, and give an example.

Answer 2

• Spaced-responding DRL is one type of DRL, which requires that a specified behavior not occur during a specified interval, and after the interval has passed, an instance of that behavior must then occur in order for a reinforcer to occur.
• Example: A student who always calls out the correct answer deprives classmates of the chance to respond to the teacher’s questions. Naturally, we would not wish to eliminate this child’s correct answering. We would hope, however to reduce the calling out behavior. We might do this by placing the behavior on the following type of DRL schedule: Any target response that occurs after 15 minutes of the previous target response is immediately reinforced.

Question 3

Give in some detail an example, which is not in this chapter, of how DRL would be useful in treating a behavior problem. Indicate which type of DRL is to be used.

Answer 3

• Example: Jenny interrupts on the average of 9 times per 30 minutes math lesson. The limit established is 7 interruptions per math lesson. Jenny is told that if she keeps her interruptions to 8 or less, she will earn a token. At the end of the lesson, jenny is provided her reinforcer. Over time, the criterion may be lowered to 5 or less.
• This is a limited-responding DRL.

Question 4

Give in some detail an example, which is not in this chapter, of how a DRO might be useful in treating a behavior problem.

Answer 4

• Example: A teenager excessively curses. If the teenager does not curse at all for one whole week, then he may borrow his parents’ car on Saturday night.

Question 5

What is the difference between DRI and DRA?

Answer 5

DRA is a procedure that involves the extinction program of a problem behavior combined with reinforcing a desirable behavior that is dissimilar but not necessarily incompatible.
DRI is when you decrease a target response by withholding reinforcers for it and by reinforcing an incompatible response.

Question 6

What happens if the frequency of reinforcement on DRL, DRO, DRI, or DRA is too low or is decreased too rapidly?

Answer 6

• If the frequency of reinforcement on DRL, DRO, DRI or DRA is too low or is decreased too rapidly, it causes the desirable behavior to occur at a low rate and not persistently.

Question 7

Describe a pitfall of DRL for people who are ignorant of its effects. Give an example.

Answer 7

• A pitfall that is unique to DRL is the tendency to unknowingly reinforce a desirable behavior on a DRL, thereby causing that desirable behavior to occur at a low rate rather than reinforcing the behavior on a schedule that would maintain that behavior at a high rate.
• Example: Consider what happens when a child starts performing well in school. At first, the teacher is impressed and enthusiastically reinforces the behavior. However, as the rate of the behavior increases, the teacher gradually becomes less impressed. The teacher thinks that this is “obviously a bight child” and so expects a high rate of good behavior from her. Thus, the rate of reinforcement gradually decreases, perhaps to zero, as the rate of the behavior increases. Eventually, the child leans that more reinforcement occurs when performance is at a low rate because the teacher is more impressed with good behavior when it occurs infrequently than when it occurs frequently. Some children show only occasional flashes of brilliance in school instead of using their full potential.