ABA Exam CoachLessons · G. Behavior-Change Procedures
G.2 · Differential reinforcement
DRA, DRI, DRO, DRL, DRH: five procedures with almost the same name, and they're easy to mix up under pressure. Here's the good news: one simple question sorts all of them, and you'll have it by the end of this video.
Key takeaway
To identify a DR procedure, ask what earns the reinforcer. A specific replacement behavior means DRA, or DRI if that behavior physically can't happen at the same time as the target. The target not happening means DRO. A low rate or long gaps between responses means DRL. A high rate means DRH. DR usually works best when you pair it with extinction for the target. When you can't use extinction, make the reinforcement for the replacement behavior richer than the reinforcement the problem behavior still gets.
To identify a DR procedure, ask what earns the reinforcer. A specific replacement behavior means DRA, or DRI if that behavior physically can't happen at the same time as the target. The target not happening means DRO. A low rate or long gaps between responses means DRL. A high rate means DRH. DR usually works best when you pair it with extinction for the target. When you can't use extinction, make the reinforcement for the replacement behavior richer than the reinforcement the problem behavior still gets.
Members get the full lesson video, notes and a 5-question test
The video walks through the idea, worked examples, the trap people fall into and an exam-style question. The notes and the checkpoint come with it, and your results feed your Where to focus plan.