Topic 15 Flashcards
differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA)
- procedure in which undesirable is no longer reinforced (extinction) and desirable alternative is reinforced
- undesirable decrease and desirable increase
- alternative not necessarily to undesirable one, may be arbitrary
differential negative reinforcement of alternative behaviors
- DNRA
- decrease problem behaviors that are maintained by neg reinforcement and to increase appropriate behaviors to replace problem behaviors
- define desirable
- define undesirable
- identify reinforcer
- reinforce desirable immediately and consistently
- eliminate reinforcement for undesirable behaviors
- use intermittent reinforcement to maintain target
- program for generlization
Vollmer et al
- 4 yr old with developmental disabilities
- during training session he was aggressive (target aberrant behavior)
- functional analysis revealed escape from training provided neg reinforcement
- program: aggression ignored, compliance reinforced with 30-sec break from training, DNRA
- results: inappropriate behaviors decreased, appropriate increased
how to use DRA
- select alternative behavior that is equal or less effort than problem, in learner’s repertoire, likely to be reinforced in natural enviro (define desirable)
- select reinforcement that is potent - use same reinforcer that maintains problem behavior, delivered immediately and consistently then switch from continuous to intermittent schedule of reinforcement
- program for generalization
when to use DRA
- desirable behavior must be occurring at least occasionally to be able to reinforce it
- with shaping and prompting to initially evoke behavior then DRA can strengthen and maintain
identifying the reinforcer
- use reinforcer that is currently maintaining the undesirable behavior
- observe and note which activities or interests they pursue
- ask questions
- try out different stimuli and determine which ones the person prefers (preference assessment)
- make each potential reinforcer contingent on operant response
preference assessment
- single stimulus
- paired stimulus
- multiple stimulus
identifies number of potential reinforcers, presents them and records which ones they approach/manipulate/consume
reinforcer assessment
determine that item did function as reinforcer, deliver contingent on behavior and show behavior increased
single stimulus assessment
each potential reinforcer is presented to determine whether individual approaches stimulus or not
- after they calculate percentages of times that the individual approached each stimulus to indicate which stimuli are reinforcers
paired stimulus assessment
- forced choice or paired choice
two potential reinforcer is presented and research records which stimulus individual approaches
multiple stimulus assessment
array of potential reinforcers and records which approaches first
- stimulus is then removed from array and researcher records which is chosen next and it continues
- array presented number of times to identify order in which stimuli are chosen
- multiple stimulus without replacement: stimuli chosen first are likely to be stronger reinforcer than the stimuli chosen list
differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior
- variation of DRA
procedure in which an undesirable behavior is extinguished, behavior is extinguished to do at the same time as undesirable behavior is reinforced - alternative is physically incompatible with problem so the two cannot occur at same time
Donnelly and Olczak
- 38 with severe intellectual disability
- target - pica for cig butts
- program: DRI, measured latency
- results: pica latency increased, pica often did not occur, some generalization after treatment ended
functional communication training
subtype of DRA, alternative behavior is a communication response
- also called differential reinforcement of communication (DRC)
- subtype called reinforcement of functionally equivalent behavior: acceptable behavior receives same consequences as an undesirable behavior
- person with problem learns to make communication response that is functionally equivalent to problem behavior
research on DRA
- Leitenberg: DRA procedures for increasing appropriate behaviors and decreasing sibling conflict - decreased conflict in siblings and increased appropriate behavior
- Allen and Stokes: increase cooperative behavior and decrease disruptive behavior during dental treatment-