Differential ReinforcementDifferential Reinforcement is a behavior modification technique in which reinforcement is provided for responses that meet specific criteria, while other responses are not reinforced. T... More of Lower Rates of BehaviorBehavior refers to any activity or action that living organisms engage in, which can be observed, measured, and analyzed. It encompasses all interactions an organism has with its environment, inc... More (DRL) is a strategy used in AppliedApplied means that the behaviors targeted for change in ABA are important and meaningful in everyday life, helping to improve the person’s quality of life or social functioning. Example A ... More Behavior Analysis (ABA) to reduce the frequencyIn Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), frequency refers to the number of times a specific behavior occurs during a given observation period. This is a basic measurement that tracks how often a behavior h... More of a behavior that is socially acceptable but occurs too often or at inappropriate times. Rather than eliminating the behavior entirely, DRL aims to reinforce lower rates of the behavior by providing reinforcementReinforcement is a fundamental concept in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and behavioral psychology. It refers to any consequence that follows a behavior and increases the likelihood that the behavior... More only when the behavior occurs less frequently or within a set criterion. This method is useful when a behavior is acceptable but needs to be reduced to a more appropriate levelIn Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), level refers to the value on the vertical axis (y-axis) of a graph that represents the degree or magnitude of a behavior. It indi... More.
Example
A student named Jake often raises his hand to ask questions during class. While asking questions is an appropriate behavior, Jake does this excessively, disrupting the flow of the lesson. The teacher implements a DRL strategy by setting a limit: Jake can ask up to three questions per class period. If Jake raises his hand fewer than three times, the teacher praises him and provides positive reinforcementPositive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the addition of a stimulus (a reinforcer) that increases the likelihood that the behavior will happen again in the future. In positive rein... More at the end of the class. Over time, Jake learns to moderate his behavior by asking fewer questions during class while still engaging appropriately.