Differential Reinforcement
Differential Reinforcement is an evidence-based method of reinforcement. There are many different types of differential reinforcement, but they all essentially serve the same function... to reinforce one behavior as opposed to another. I'll talk about the differences below.
Differential Reinforcement of Higher Rates of Behavior (DRH)
DRH is reinforcing a child for having a behavior more often than it usually has, or at a "higher rate". By reinforcing increasing positive behaviors, it eliminates the opportunity of negative behaviors to occur.
For example, as you reinforce a child for having more and more toileting successes, the less likely they they are to have accidents.
Differential Reinforcement of Lower Rates of Behavior (DRL)
DRL is essentially the opposite of DRH. The aim of DRL is to reinforce a child for decreasing amounts of inappropriate or negative behaviors.
For instance, as a child bangs their head less when escalated, and they are reinforced for doing so, they are less likely to display the inappropriate behavior.
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)
DRO is the act of reinforcing the child, as long as the inappropriate behavior does not occur.
If a child displays inappropriate hand-flapping, you would reinforce that child for doing something more appropriate things with their hands, as long as the inappropriate behavior doesn't occur.
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
DRA is used to encourage a behavior that is replacing, or is an alternative, behavior. Frequently, DRA is used to to increase what are called "replacement behaviors".
Take for example, if a child gets mad when a demand is placed on him and screams "no", DRA could be used if the child tried an alternative method, like saying "I don't want to", or "I need help".
Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
DRI is similar to DRA. It is used when a behavior that is incompatible to a problem behavior.
For example, if a child was a frequent runner, you would be using DRI when the child was sitting. Sitting is an incompatible behavior, as it cannot occur simultaneously with running. Or, for a child who sucks their thumb at inappropriate times, DRI would be used when that child was doing various things that involve using his hands, like eating, or writing, as they are incompatible with thumb-sucking.
References:
Marcus, B., & Vollmer, T. (1996). Combining noncontingent reinforcement and differential reinforcement schedules as treatment for aberrant behavior. Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, 29(1), 43-51.
Piazza, C., Moes, D., & Fisher, W. (1996). Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior and demand fading in the treatment of escape-maintained destructive behavior. Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, 29(4), 569-572.
Smith, M. (1987). Treatment of pica in an adult disabled by autism by differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 18(3), 285-288.
Vollmer, T., Iwata, B., Smith, R., Mazaleski, J., & Zarcone, J. (1993). The role of attention in the treatment of attention-maintained self-injurious behavior: noncontingent reinforcement and differential reinforcement of other behavior. Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, 26(1), 9-21.
Vollmer, T., & Iwata, B. (1992). Differential reinforcement as treatment for behavior disorders: Procedural and functional variations. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 13(4), 393-417.
Vollmer, T., Roane, H., Ringdahl, J., & Marcus, B. (1999). Evaluating treatment challenges with differential reinforcement of alternative behavior. Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, 32(1), 9-23.
Differential Reinforcement of Higher Rates of Behavior (DRH)
DRH is reinforcing a child for having a behavior more often than it usually has, or at a "higher rate". By reinforcing increasing positive behaviors, it eliminates the opportunity of negative behaviors to occur.
For example, as you reinforce a child for having more and more toileting successes, the less likely they they are to have accidents.
Differential Reinforcement of Lower Rates of Behavior (DRL)
DRL is essentially the opposite of DRH. The aim of DRL is to reinforce a child for decreasing amounts of inappropriate or negative behaviors.
For instance, as a child bangs their head less when escalated, and they are reinforced for doing so, they are less likely to display the inappropriate behavior.
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)
DRO is the act of reinforcing the child, as long as the inappropriate behavior does not occur.
If a child displays inappropriate hand-flapping, you would reinforce that child for doing something more appropriate things with their hands, as long as the inappropriate behavior doesn't occur.
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
DRA is used to encourage a behavior that is replacing, or is an alternative, behavior. Frequently, DRA is used to to increase what are called "replacement behaviors".
Take for example, if a child gets mad when a demand is placed on him and screams "no", DRA could be used if the child tried an alternative method, like saying "I don't want to", or "I need help".
Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
DRI is similar to DRA. It is used when a behavior that is incompatible to a problem behavior.
For example, if a child was a frequent runner, you would be using DRI when the child was sitting. Sitting is an incompatible behavior, as it cannot occur simultaneously with running. Or, for a child who sucks their thumb at inappropriate times, DRI would be used when that child was doing various things that involve using his hands, like eating, or writing, as they are incompatible with thumb-sucking.
References:
Marcus, B., & Vollmer, T. (1996). Combining noncontingent reinforcement and differential reinforcement schedules as treatment for aberrant behavior. Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, 29(1), 43-51.
Piazza, C., Moes, D., & Fisher, W. (1996). Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior and demand fading in the treatment of escape-maintained destructive behavior. Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, 29(4), 569-572.
Smith, M. (1987). Treatment of pica in an adult disabled by autism by differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 18(3), 285-288.
Vollmer, T., Iwata, B., Smith, R., Mazaleski, J., & Zarcone, J. (1993). The role of attention in the treatment of attention-maintained self-injurious behavior: noncontingent reinforcement and differential reinforcement of other behavior. Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, 26(1), 9-21.
Vollmer, T., & Iwata, B. (1992). Differential reinforcement as treatment for behavior disorders: Procedural and functional variations. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 13(4), 393-417.
Vollmer, T., Roane, H., Ringdahl, J., & Marcus, B. (1999). Evaluating treatment challenges with differential reinforcement of alternative behavior. Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, 32(1), 9-23.