Differential Reinforcement

Question 1

Definition of differential reinforcement of alternative behaviour (DRA)

Answer 1

Procedure in which an undesirable behaviour is no longer reinforced (undergoes extinction) and a desirable alternative behaviour is reinforced

Question 2

What happens during differential reinforcement

Answer 2

Undesirable behaviour will decrease, desirable behaviour will increase

Question 3

Does the alternative behaviour in DRA need to be related to the undesirable one? E.g.

Answer 3

Not necessarily; may be arbitrary
e.g putting plastic brick into a bucket as an alternative to screaming

Question 4

Two steps of using DRA

Answer 4

1. select alternative behaviour
2. select reinforcement

Question 5

The alternative behaviour in DRA needs to…

Answer 5

• require equal or less effort than the problem beh
• already be in the learner’s repertoire
• be likely to be reinforced in the learner’s natural environment

Question 6

The reinforcement in DRA needs to…

Answer 6

• be potent; same reinfrocer that maintains the problem beh, if possible
• can be delivered immediately and consistently, then switch from continuous -> intermittent schedules of reinforcement

Question 7

Definition of differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviour (DRI)

Answer 7

Procedure in which an undesirable behaviour is extinguished, and a behaviour that is impossible to do at the same time as the undesirable behaviour is reinforced

Question 8

Examples of incompatible behaviours

Answer 8

Disruptive classroom beh vs completing tasks
Arriving late to class vs being on time for class

Question 9

Definition of functional communication training (FCT). AKA

Answer 9

AKA differential reinforcement of communication (DRC)
Subtype of DRA in which the alternative behaviour is a communication response

Question 10

Definition of differential reinforcement of other behaviour (DRO)

Answer 10

Procedure in which an undesirable behaviour undergoes extinction, and a reinforcer is delivered after a period of time in which the behaviour does not occur

Question 11

DRO also called..

Answer 11

Differential reinforcement of zero responding or differential reinforcement of the omission of behaviour

Question 12

DRO has been applied to…

Answer 12

Fingernail biting
Thumb-sucking
Disruptive and self-injurious behaviours

Question 13

Two variations of DRO

Answer 13

1. Whole-interval DRO: reinforcer delivered if problem beh is absent during the entire interval
2. Momentary DRO: reinforcer delivered if problem behaviour is absent at the end of the interval

Question 14

DRO can also be based on… e.g.

Answer 14

Permanent-product data
e.g. student gets a sticker on homework that has no doodles on it

Question 15

Five steps to using DRO

Answer 15

1. Functional assessment to determine reinforcer of problem
2. Choose reinforcement for DRO
3. Choose length of initial DRO time interval (based on baseline data)
4. Extinguish problem beh; reinforce omission intervals
5. Increase interval length

Question 16

What do you do if the problem behaviour occurs before the end of the interval in whole-interval DRO

Answer 16

Reset the time interval

Question 17

Consideration for DRO

Answer 17

Extinction can lead to extinction-induced aggression, which is undesirable and we do not want to reinforce that

Question 18

Using DRO in learners with limited beh repertoire can create a…

Answer 18

“Behaviour vacuum” which may end up being filled with the undesirable target behaviour

Question 19

Definition of differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL)

Answer 19

Procedure in which a lower rate of a behaviour is reinforced to decrease the rate of that behaviour

Question 20

DRL is used when…

Answer 20

the goal is to reduce, not eliminate. the behaviour

Question 21

DRL has been applied to…

Answer 21

Beh of which too much is not good
e.g. sleeping, eating too quickly

Question 22

Three DRL variations

Answer 22

1. Full-session DRL
2. Space-responding DRL
3. Interval DRL

Question 23

What is full-session DRL

Answer 23

Reinforcer delivered if target beh occurs fewer than a certain number of times during a session

Question 24

What is space-responding DRL

Answer 24

Reinforcer delivered if a certain amount of time has elapsed since the last target behaviour
Used to pace behaviour

Question 25

What is interval DRL

Answer 25

Session is divided into equal time intervals; reinforcer delivered if target behaviour occurred no more than once during each interval
Used to pace behaviour

Question 26

How are DRL and fixed interval schedules different

Answer 26

Space responding DRL: reinforcer delivered after a response if at least 60 seconds has elapsed since previous response
FI: reinforcer delivered after a response if at least 60 seconds has elapsed sinced the previous reinforcer was delivered

Question 27

Five steps to using DRL

Answer 27

1. Decide whether DRL is appropriate (beh reduced not eliminated)
2. Determine desired rate of beh
3. Choose btw full-session or spaced-responding DRL
4. Tell client criterion for reinforcment
5. Provide client with feedback/data on their beh

Question 28

What is a preference assessment

Answer 28

Trying out a variety of stimuli to see which ones the person prefers (and are likely to function as reinforcers)