ABA Exam CoachDifferential reinforcement: DRA, DRI, DRO, DRL, DRH
Differential reinforcement means reinforcing one response, or one level of responding, and not reinforcing others. In treatment for problem behavior, it usually pairs reinforcement for something you want with extinction (or less reinforcement) for the problem behavior.
The BACB's 6th edition outline has a task on designing and evaluating differential reinforcement procedures, including DRA, DRO, DRL and DRH, both with and without extinction (G.2). Time-based schedules such as fixed time, the usual way of delivering noncontingent reinforcement, are a separate task (G.3).
One question names the procedure
Ask: what exactly earns the reinforcer?
| Procedure | What earns the reinforcer | Original example |
|---|---|---|
| DRA (alternative) | A specific, more appropriate behavior | A child who grabs toys gets the toy when they say "my turn, please" |
| DRI (incompatible) | A behavior that physically can't happen at the same time as the target | A student who taps their pencil earns points while their hands are folded on the desk |
| DRO (other) | The target behavior not happening for an interval, or at a moment | A learner gets a sticker for each 5 minutes without spitting |
| DRL (low rate) | Responding at or below a set rate | A student who asks for help 20 times an hour is praised when they ask 5 times or fewer |
| DRH (high rate) | Responding at or above a set rate | A worker earns a bonus for assembling at least 30 units an hour |
Two relationships worth remembering:
- DRI is a type of DRA. The alternative just happens to be physically incompatible with the target.
- Functional communication training is a form of DRA. The alternative is a communicative response that produces the same reinforcer the problem behavior used to get.
Choosing one from a scenario
- The behavior is fine in moderation, just too frequent? DRL. You want less, not none.
- Any occurrence is a problem, and there's no obvious replacement? DRO.
- There's an appropriate response that can get the same thing? DRA, often using the reinforcer identified in a functional assessment.
- The goal is more of a good behavior, faster? DRH.
DRL is a poor fit for dangerous behavior, because it still allows the behavior to occur.
DRO vs noncontingent reinforcement
These two are confused more than any other pair here.
- In DRO, the reinforcer depends on the target not happening. If it happens, the interval resets or the reinforcer is lost.
- In noncontingent reinforcement (NCR), the reinforcer is delivered on a time schedule, such as every 2 minutes, whatever the person is doing.
The test: does the problem behavior change when, or whether, the reinforcer arrives? If yes, it's DRO. If no, it's NCR.
Vollmer and colleagues (1993) compared the two for self-injury maintained by attention. Both reduced self-injury a great deal, likely because both used the reinforcer that had maintained it. They also found evidence that NCR reduced some of DRO's limitations. For the exam, the point is the definition: DRO is response-dependent, NCR is time-based.
With and without extinction
G.2 asks about differential reinforcement both with and without extinction. With extinction, the problem behavior no longer produces its reinforcer. That usually makes the procedure more effective, but it brings the risk of extinction effects such as bursts and needs everyone involved to apply it consistently. If extinction isn't practical or safe, the alternative behavior can be reinforced more richly than the problem behavior, so the learner's responding shifts toward it.
Common traps
- Calling DRO "reinforcing other behavior". DRO reinforces the absence of the target. Whatever else the learner happens to do during the interval isn't what's specified.
- Mixing up DRL and DRO. DRL accepts some responding. DRO accepts none during the interval.
- Choosing DRA with an arbitrary reinforcer. The strongest DRA usually delivers the same reinforcer the problem behavior was getting.
- Assuming any reinforcer "on a timer" is DRO. Check whether the target behavior affects delivery.
- Forgetting interval length in DRO. Start with intervals short enough for the learner to succeed, then lengthen them as behavior improves.
Practise it
Read each scenario and underline what earns the reinforcer: a named behavior, absence of the target, a rate, or the passing of time. That one underline usually decides the answer.
The lessons on G.2: differential reinforcement and G.3: time-based reinforcement cover both in depth. Behavior-Change Procedures is about 14% of the exam, and the free diagnostic shows how you're doing there.
FAQ
What is the difference between DRA and DRO? DRA reinforces a specific alternative behavior. DRO reinforces the target behavior not occurring during an interval or at a moment.
Is DRI the same as DRA? DRI is a kind of DRA where the alternative behavior physically can't occur at the same time as the target.
What is the difference between DRO and NCR? In DRO, the reinforcer depends on the target behavior not happening. In NCR, the reinforcer is delivered on a time schedule regardless of behavior.
When would you use DRL? When the behavior is acceptable at a lower rate and the goal is to reduce it, not eliminate it.
Sources
- BACB, BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.): https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/bcba-outline-6thEd (tasks G.2 and G.3)
- Vollmer, T. R., Iwata, B. A., Zarcone, J. R., Smith, R. G., & Mazaleski, J. L. (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 Behavior Analysis, 26(1), 9–21: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1297716/ (DRO compared with fixed-time NCR)