ABA glossary
Differential reinforcement
Definition
Reinforcing responses that meet a set criterion, or the absence of a problem behavior, while withholding reinforcement for responses that do not meet it. Common forms are DRA, DRI, DRO, DRL, and DRH.
In plain words
Differential reinforcement means being selective: one behavior (or one form, rate, or absence of behavior) earns reinforcement and the problem behavior does not. It is the basis of most positive behavior-reduction plans and of skill-building procedures such as shaping and discrimination training. The variations differ in what earns reinforcement: an alternative behavior (DRA), a physically incompatible behavior (DRI), not doing the problem behavior for a period (DRO), doing a behavior less often (DRL), or doing it more often (DRH). FCT is a type of DRA.
Example from a session
In Mateo's plan, raising his hand earns the teacher's attention, while calling out gets no attention (DRA with extinction). The RBT supporting him in class praises each hand raise right away and does not respond to call-outs, exactly as written. She records both behaviors so the BCBA can see whether hand raises increase as calling out decreases.
For BCBA candidates and supervisors
Analysts choose the variant from the function of the problem behavior and the skills the person needs. DRA and FCT work best when the alternative produces the same reinforcer and is easier than the problem behavior; DRO suits situations without an obvious replacement but teaches nothing specific; DRL fits behaviors acceptable at lower rates. Withholding reinforcement for the problem behavior (extinction) usually makes differential reinforcement more effective, but when that is not fully possible, analysts can tilt the dimensions of reinforcement (quality, magnitude, immediacy) toward the alternative behavior.
Often confused with differential reinforcement of alternative behavior, differential reinforcement of other behavior, shaping
DRA reinforces a specific alternative behavior; DRO reinforces the absence of the problem behavior during an interval, whatever else the person is doing. Shaping also uses differential reinforcement, but to build a new behavior through successive approximations, not to reduce a problem behavior.
Exam tip
Identify what earns reinforcement in the stem: a named replacement behavior (DRA), a behavior that cannot occur with the problem behavior (DRI), "no problem behavior for 5 minutes" (DRO), or "no more than 3 times" (DRL).
Can you spot differential reinforcement in a scenario?
Practice RBT D.3 with exam-style questions and instant feedback.