Differential Reinforcement Concepts

Questions and Answers

What is Differential Reinforcement?

Reinforcer is applied to one member of a response class of behavior and no longer given to the other members.

What defines a Response Class?

Set of responses that serve the same function.

What is Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)?

Extinguish unwanted behavior, reinforce a functionally equivalent alternative (appropriate) behavior in the same response class.

Which of the following are Types of DRA?

DRC Signup and view all the answers

What is the Matching Law?

Subject will select response associated with the higher rate of reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What does Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI) entail?

Reinforce a behavior that is topographically incompatible with the target behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Differential Reinforcement of Communication?

Teach a verbal behavior to replace a problem behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is Differential Reinforcement of Negative Alternative Behaviors?

Reinforce alternative behavior specifically through negative reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What are the DRA Guidelines?

Select incompatible or alternative behavior; should already exist in repertoire; should require equal or less effort than the problem behavior; select powerful reinforcers delivered consistently; reinforce immediately; use extinction for problem behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) aim for?

Reinforcer presented for lack of the behavior during an interval of time. Signup and view all the answers

What is Interval DRO?

Reinforcement is delivered contingent on the target not occurring at all through the entire interval. Signup and view all the answers

What is Momentary DRO?

Reinforcement is delivered contingent on the target not occurring at specific moments of time. Signup and view all the answers

What are the DRO Guidelines?

Use whole-interval initially, use momentary interval to maintain low rate, recognize limitations, set interval to assure frequent reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

When should Differential Reinforcement of Lower Rates of Behavior (DRL) be used?

When lower rate of behavior is tolerable, behavior does not need to be changed quickly, behavior is not dangerous. Signup and view all the answers

What are the DRL Guidelines?

Choose procedure; select initial response criterion (mean during baseline); gradually thin schedule. Signup and view all the answers

What are Time-Based Schedules of Reinforcement for NCR (non-contingent reinforcers)?

Known reinforcers are delivered independent of the response; time based, not behavior based. Signup and view all the answers

What is an effective approach to using NCR?

Use functional reinforcer if possible; should access more/similar reinforcement as with problem behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Principles of NCR?

Often combined with extinction; effectiveness may be due to satiation/extinction; may disrupt response/reinforcer relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Benefits of NCR?

Easy to implement; more access to reinforcers compared to response-dependent schedules. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Differential Reinforcement Concepts

Differential Reinforcement: Involves applying a reinforcer to a specific behavior while withholding it from others in the same response class.
Response Class: A group of behaviors that fulfill the same function or purpose.

Types of Differential Reinforcement

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA): Combines extinguishing unwanted behavior with reinforcing a functionally equivalent, appropriate alternative within the same response class.
Types of DRA: Includes Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI), Differential Negative Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DNRA), and Differential Reinforcement of Communication (DRC).

Matching Law

States that individuals will choose responses tied to higher rates of reinforcement. Choices may still reinforce undesirable behavior if it offers better rewards.

Specific DRA Methods

Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI): Reinforces behaviors that cannot be performed simultaneously with the unwanted behavior.
Differential Reinforcement of Communication: Focuses on teaching verbal responses to replace problematic behaviors, often through Functional Communication Training (FCT).
Differential Reinforcement of Negative Alternative Behaviors: Involves reinforcing alternative behaviors through negative reinforcement.

DRA Guidelines

Select an alternative or incompatible behavior already present in the individual’s repertoire.
Ensure the selected behavior requires equal or lesser effort than the problem behavior.
Choose powerful and consistently deliverable reinforcers.
Reinforce immediately and use extinction on the problem behavior while possibly combining with other interventions.

Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)

Reinforcers are given for the absence of the target behavior during specified time intervals. If the behavior occurs, the interval resets.

DRO Variants

Interval DRO: Reinforcement is contingent upon the target behavior not occurring throughout an entire interval.
Momentary DRO: Reinforcement occurs only at specific points in time where the target behavior is absent.

DRO Guidelines

Start with whole-interval DRO, then shift to momentary intervals for maintenance.
Recognize limitations, set intervals for frequent reinforcement, and avoid reinforcing undesirable behaviors.
Gradually increase intervals and apply across different settings, especially helpful for individuals with high rates of problematic behaviors.

Differential Reinforcement of Lower Rates of Behavior (DRL)

Appropriate when decreasing behavior is manageable, doesn't require rapid change, and is non-dangerous. Reinforcement is given when the behavior occurs at a lower frequency than a set criterion.

Guidelines for DRL

Choose a suitable procedure and begin with a baseline mean as the response criterion. Gradually thin the reinforcement schedule.

Non-Contingent Reinforcement (NCR)

Involves delivering known reinforcers independently of responses, based on time rather than behavior.
Strategies vary based on the form of maintained behavior (social, escape, automatic) and aim for satiation.

Using NCR Effectively

Aim to use functional reinforcers and ensure access to similar reinforcement levels as the problematic behavior.
Set schedules initially dense and potentially arbitrary but ideally based on actual occurrences of the problem behavior.

Principles and Benefits of NCR

Often paired with extinction to enhance effectiveness through satiation mechanisms, potentially disrupting the response/reinforcer relationship.
Benefits include ease of implementation, reduced monitoring, and increased access to reinforcers compared to traditional response-dependent schedules, mitigating potential extinction bursts.

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Description

Explore the foundational concepts of differential reinforcement, including its application to specific behavior in the context of behavior analysis. Learn about different types of differential reinforcement strategies, such as DRA and DRI, and understand their significance in modifying behaviors. This quiz will test your knowledge on theoretical aspects and practical implications of differential reinforcement.