Differential ReinforcementDifferential Reinforcement is a behavior modi... of Incompatible BehaviorBehavior refers to any activity or action that living o... (DRI) is a technique used in AppliedApplied means that the behaviors targeted for change in... Behavior Analysis (ABA) where reinforcementReinforcement is a fundamental concept in Applied Behavior A... is provided for a behavior that is incompatible with the undesired or maladaptive behavior. In other words, the individual is reinforced for engaging in a behavior that physically cannot occur at the same time as the problematic behavior. The goal of DRI is to decrease the occurrence of the maladaptive behavior by reinforcing an alternative, incompatible behavior.
Example
A student in class frequently engages in fidgeting and hand-flapping, which disrupts their focus and the class environment. The teacher implements a DRI strategy by reinforcing the behavior of folding hands on the desk, which is incompatible with hand-flapping. Since the student cannot flap their hands while keeping them folded on the desk, the teacher provides praise and rewards each time the student keeps their hands folded. Over time, the hand-flapping behavior decreases as the student learns that folding hands results in reinforcement.