Differential Reinforcement Procedures DRA: A specific alternative behavior to the target is reinforced after a scheduled passage of time.

The target behavior is placed on extinction. DRI: A behavior that is entirely incompatible with the target (not likely to occur simultaneously) is reinforced at the end of the designated time period. DRO: Any behavior other than the target will be reinforced at the end of the defined time period. DRL: Reinforcement is delivered when target behavior occurrence during specified session or interval is equal to or below a criterion limit or when IRTs meet a specified criterion. DNR: A specific alternative behavior to the target is negatively reinforced after a scheduled passage of time. The target behavior is placed on extinction. ADVANTAGES: Most DR procedures strengthen desired as well as reduce inappropriate behaviors. They can be used to promote educational, social, and personal skill development. DR is a benign procedure for reducing the rate of inappropriate undesirable behavior, as no extinction burst occurs using this reinforcement procedure. DISADVANTAGES: Trainer/teacher/parent must be present to ensure that the target behavior is not reinforced in this or other settings. Effects may take time (vs punishment, which produces an immediate environmental change--albeit a temporary one).

DRO
ADVANTAGES: Especially effective for decreasing high-frequency disruptive behavior such as selfstimulation, repetitive vocalizations, stereotypy, aggression. Best procedure when objective is to eliminate behavior, not just decrease it. Applicable with many different behavioral topographies.

 Produces decrements in undesired behavior over a single or a few sessions. It is faster-acting than extinction alone. Easier for the trainer/teacher, as there is no tracking of other behavior. No need to find an alternative.

DISADVANTAGES: Other behavior that is reinforced may be worse than the target behavior.

Time-consuming to administer: requires constant observation and timing, and frequent reinforcement.

DRA/DRI
CHALLENGES: The replacement behavior must meet certain criteria in order to be functional (i.e., produce the same response/reinforcement ratio as the unwanted behavior for the learner): * it must occur in and be supported by the learners natural environment it must be in the learners repertoire or (fairly) easily achievable by the learner it must be acceptable by those who interact daily with the learner

ADVANTAGES: Focus is on learning what to do instead of on eliminating behavior (vs extinction, punishment, and response cost, which are all procedures for decreasing inappropriate, undesirable behavior and do not help the learner acquire more appropriate behavior). Has high has social validity because a productive, desirable alternative behavior is reinforced. Target behavior is not likely to return, after the alternative behavior is occurring at a consistently high rate. Trainer/teacher selects the behavior to be reinforced (vs DRO reinforcing any other behavior). DISADVANTAGES: Not as fast-acting as DRO and punishment.

 Finding a functional alternative behavior that is as effective as the one being replaced may take time and effort.

DRI
ADVANTAGES: Has the highest face validity, because the incompatible behavior precludes occurrence of the target behavior. May require less time to shift the stimulus control from the inappropriate to the incompatible behavior. Less response cost for trainer/teacher (less need for intensive training--e.g., shaping, fading).

DRL
ADVANTAGES: Appropriate when low, consistent rates of responding (not elimination of target behavior) are desirable or tolerable. DISADVANTAGES: Interval and spaced-responding DRL are time-consuming to administer, requiring constant observation and timing, and frequent reinforcement. Slower-acting than DRO, for disruptive or aggressive behaviors.

DNR
ADVANTAGES: The nature of some target behavior (e.g., SIB, high-risk aggressive behavior) precludes exclusive use of procedures involving gradual change because of risk to the client and others Can be effective for disruptive behavior that has been resistant to other types of DR interventions

DISADVANTAGES: Negatively reinforced behavior increases rates of escape and avoidance behavior which, subsequently, may be difficult to decrease Complex procedure to implement that requires very highly trained therapists If inconsistently implemented may result in increases in severe target behavior