Topic 15: Differential Reinforcement Flashcards
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
a procedure for decreasing a problem behavior by reinforcing a functionally equivalent alternative behavior (a competing behavior) to replace the problem behavior
Preference Assessment
a process of identifying reinforcers for an individual that involves presenting potential reinforcers and measuring whether the individual approaches, manipulates, or consumes the item
preference assessments can be conducted in at least three different ways; single stimulus assessment, paired stimulus assessment, and multiple stimulus assessment
Reinforcer Assessment
a process in which an item from a preference assessment is delivered contingent on a behavior to see if the behavior increases
if the behavior increases, the item functions as a reinforcer
Single Stimulus Assessment
each potential reinforcer (from an array of potential reinforcers) is presented (i.e. put on a table in front of a child), one at a time to see whether the individual approaches the stimulus or not
after each stimulus is presented numerous times, the researcher calculates the percentage of times that the individual approached each stimulus to indicate which stimuli are likely to be reinforcers
Paired Stimulus Assessment
two potential reinforcers (from an array of potential reinforcers) are presented to the individual and the researcher records which stimulus the individual approaches
each stimulus is presented with every other stimulus multiple times and the researcher calculates the percentage of times that the individual approaches each stimulus, indicating which stimuli are likely to be reinforcers
Multiple Stimulus Assessment
an array of potential reinforcers is presented to the individual (ex. 8 stimuli are presented on a table in front of the person), and the researcher records which potential reinforcer the individual approaches or chooses first
this stimulus is then removed from the array and the researcher records which stimulus the individual chooses next
that stimulus, in turn, is then removed from the array and the process continues until the individual has approached or chosen all stimuli
the array of stimuli is presented a number of times (with the stimuli in different locations on the table each time) to identify the order in which the stimuli are chosen
What are the steps associated with using differential reinforcement of alternative behavior?
- define the desirable behavior
- define the undesirable behavior
- identify the reinforcer
- reinforce the desirable behavior immediately and consistently
- eliminate reinforcement for undesirable behaviors
- use intermittent reinforcement to maintain the target behavior
- program for generalization
Differential Reinforcement of an Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
a type of DRA procedure in which a physically incompatible behavior is reinforced to replace the problem behavior
Differential Reinforcement of Communication (DRC)
a type of DRA procedure in which a communication response is reinforced to replace the problem behavior
also called functional communication training
Differntial Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)
a procedure in which the reinforcer is delivered after intervals of time in which the problem behavior does not occur
DRO involves reinforcing the absence of the problem behavior
What are the steps associated with implementing DRO?
- identify the reinforcer for the problem behavior
- identify the reinforcer to use in the DRO procedure
- choose the initial DRO time interval
- eliminate the reinforcer for the problem behavior and deliver the reinforcer for the absence of problem behavior
- reset the interval if the problem behavior occurs
- gradually increase the interval length
Whole-Interval DRO
a type of differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) procedure in which the problem behavior must be absent throughout the entire interval of time for the reinforcer to be delivered
most DRO procedures involve whole-interval DRO
Momentary DRO
a type of differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) procedure in which the reinforcer is delivered if the person is refraining from the problem behavior at the end of the DRO interval
the problem behavior does not have to be absent throughout the entire interval for the reinforcer to be delivered
momentary DRO typically is not effective unless it follows the use of a whole-interval DRO procedure
Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates of Responding (DRL)
a procedure in which a lower rate of a particular behavior is reinforced to decrease the rate of the behavior
used when the goal is to decrease but not necessarily to eliminate a target behavior
Full-Session DRL
a differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) procedure in which the reinforcer is delivered if fewer than a specified number of responses occur in a specific period (the session)
it is used to decrease the rate of a behavior
Spaced-Responding DRL
a type of differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) procedure in which the reinforcer is delivered when responses are separated by a specific time interval
if a response occurs before the interval has ended, the reinforcer is not delivered and the interval is reseat
the interval between responses is called the inter-response time
Interval DRL
a type of differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) procedure that involves dividing a session into consecutive intervals or time and providing the reinforcer if no more than one response occurred in each interval
Stereotypic Behavior
repetitive behaviors that do not serve any social function for the individual
they are often called self-stimulatory behaviors because the function to produce some form of sensory stimulation for the individual
Inter-Response Time (IRT)
the time between the occurrence of consecutive responses
What is the differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA)?
a procedure in which an undesirable behavior is no longer reinforced (undergoes extinction) and a desirable alternative behavior is reinforced
undesirable behavior will decrease and the desirable behavior will increase
alternative behavior is not necessarily related to undesirable; may be quite arbitrary
How is a DRA used?
- select an alternative behavior that: requires equal or less effort than the problem behavior, is already in the learner’s repertoire if possible, and is likely to be reinforced in the learner’s natural environment
- select reinforcement: is potent, use the same reinforcer that maintains the problem behavior if possible, can be delivered immediately and consistently, then switch from continuous to intermittent schedule of reinforcement (thinning)
What is the differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors (DRI)?
a procedure in which an undesirable behavior is extinguished, and a behavior that is impossible to do at the same time as the undesirable behavior is reinforced
What are some examples of incompatible behaviors?
disruptive classroom behavior vs. completing tasks
crying and squirming in dentist’s chair vs. being quiet and holding still
arriving late to class and being on time for class
What is functional communication training?
subtype of DRA, in which alternative behavior is a communication response
also called differential reinforcement of communication (DRC)
can also be considered a subtype called reinforcement of functionally equivalent behavior: an acceptable behavior receives the same consequences as an undesirable behavior
