Chapter 9: Differential Reinforcement Strategies For Problem Behavior

Question 1

DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT (DRA)

Answer 1

A procedure in which behaviors that serve as an alternative or replacement for an individual’s targeted problem behavior are reinforced.

Question 2

CHOOSING AN ALTERNATIVE BEHAVIOR

Answer 2

1. Must allow access to the same type of reinforcement
2. Most effective when alternative behavior is already in repertoire
3. Must require a similar or less-than response effort
4. Everyone who work with individual MUST reinforce the alternative behavior

Question 3

DRA AND EXTINCTION

Answer 3

Ideally, the target problem behavior is out on extinction (reinforcement discontinued). When extinction is impossible, schedule of reinforcement for target problem behavior should be adjusted so that alternative behavior provides reinforcer sooner, more frequently, or with greater magnitude or quality.

Question 4

CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO SCHEDULES OF REINFORCEMENT

Answer 4

Initial schedule of reinforcement is continuous or fixed ratio of one (FR1). Every instance of alternative behavior is reinforced.

Schedule then thinned by occasionally and temporarily restricting access to the reinforcer, or by delay to reinforcement.

Question 5

SIGNAL STIMULUS

Answer 5

Stimulus used to indicate when the target reinforced is or isn’t available. (Ex: Place image of reinforcer in red or green background to indicate availability)

Question 6

FUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATION TRAINING

Answer 6

Teaching a functional communication response (FCR) to replace the problem behavior.

Question 7

DRAWBACKS OF DRA

Answer 7

1. Everyone interacting with the individual must be trained
2. Difficulties may arise is providing reinforcement if each instance of alternative behavior

Important to teach appropriate responses to reflection or delay in reinforcement.

Question 8

DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT OF INCOMPATIBLE BEHAVIOR (DRI)

Answer 8

Reinforcing an alternative behavior that CANNOT co-occur with targeted problem behavior.
(Ex: teaching hands in pockets when targeted problem behavior is scratching skin)

Question 9

DRAWBACKS TO DRI

Answer 9

1. Must consider variety of contexts to which individual is exposed
2. Can be difficult to identify incompatible behavior

Question 10

DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT OF OTHER BEHAVIOR (DRO)

Answer 10

A procedure by which the absence of the problem behavior is reinforced while other behaviors are occurring.

Question 11

IMPLEMENTING DRO

Answer 11

Announce absence of target behavior
Announce time interval
Announce reinforcer

(Ex: “if you keep your hands out of your mouth for five minutes you will get a token”)

*can be useful to use visual timer and visual reminder if the response requirement

Question 12

INTERVAL MANAGEMENT IN DRO

Answer 12

Two approaches if problem behavior occurs in the interval:

1. Reset the interval
2. Increase omission criteria (Ex: if problem behavior at 30s in 60s interval, individual has to refrain for 90s, remaining time plus new target interval)

Question 13

SETTING DRO INTERVAL

Answer 13

Identify rate of occurrence of targeted problem behavior. Classic formula:

Interresponse time =
Total duration of observation /number of time target behavior occurs

Question 14

THINNING DRO SCHEDULE

Answer 14

Basically, increasing interval. Two methods:
1. Constant duration increase (Ex: add 5s each increase)
2. Proportional increase (Ex: 5% each increase)

*risk of inducing ratio strain or response pause

Question 15

DRAWBACKS TO DRO

Answer 15

1. Possibility of inadvertently reinforcing another problem behavior.
2. Replacement behaviors essentially left to chance

Question 16

FIXED-INTERVAL DRO (FI-DRO)

Answer 16

Interval of duration remains constant until specific criterion is met. Then, thinning.

Question 17

VARIABLE-INTERVAL DRO (VI-DRO)

Answer 17

Intervals vary in duration but average a specified time.

Ex: VI-DRO 30s would involve varying intervals averaging 30s.

Question 18

FIXED- AND VARIABLE MOMENTARY DRO (FM-DRO and VM-DRO)

Answer 18

Similar implementation to FI-DRO and VI-DRO, but reinforcement provided for absence of problem behavior at a specific moment in time.

*Used only for behaviors that occur continuously

Question 19

DRAWBACKS TO DRO

Answer 19

1. Generally weaker effect on problem behavior than other DR procedures
2. No alternative behavior taught
3. DRO schedules are labor intensive due to monitoring of individual

Question 20

DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT OF VARIOUS RATES

Answer 20

Used when an individual has appropriate behavior in their repertoire, but engages in that behavior either too often or not frequently enough. Goal is to move target behaviors toward more acceptable frequency.

Question 21

DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT OF LOWER RATES (DRL)

Answer 21

Gradually provide reinforcement of lower rates of target behavior until behavior reaches acceptable level.

Question 22

DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT OF HIGH RATES (DRH)

Answer 22

Gradual reinforcement of higher rates of responding.

Question 23

IMPLEMENTATION OF DRL/DRH

Answer 23

1. Measure baseline responding
2. Set a terminal goal for an acceptable rate of responding (often the individual’s lowest/highest rate of response)

Question 24

DRAWBACKS TO DRL/DRH

Answer 24

1. Labor intensive
2. Gradual, which means dangerous/disruptive behaviors will continue during training