
DRA (differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors) rewards choosing alternative behaviors over a maladaptive behavior, although both could be performed at the same time. DRO (differential reinforcement of other behavior) rewards the absence of the maladaptive behavior.
What is DRI DRL DRA and Dro?
DRI. DRA. DRL. Let’s make it easy. Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors ( DRO) – Pick a behavior. When that behavior is not happening, you deliver reinforce. You deliver reinforcement in the absence of behavior. You pick screaming.
What does Dro stand for?
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) In this intervention, the reinforcer is given as long as the targeted inappropriate behavior does not occur or it is given in the absence of targeted behavior.
How can Dro and DRA be used in teaching children?
For example, teachers working with children on the autism spectrum will often use DRO and DRA (Differential Reinforcement of an Alternative behavior) to shape behavior. DRA reinforces a specific behavior and only that specific behavior. Check out this video on how DRO and DRA are used in teaching children!
What is DRO in behavior therapy?
It is “a procedure for decreasing problem behavior in which reinforcement is contingent on the absence of the problem behavior during or at specific times” (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). With DRO, you would reinforce any behavior that wasn’t the behavior targeted for change.

What is a DRO in ABA?
Definition. Differential reinforcement of other behaviors (DRO) is a reinforcement procedure in which reinforcement is delivered for any response other than a specific target behavior.
What is an example of DRO?
DRO involves rewarding the child when the inappropriate behavior does not occur during a specific amount of time. An example of this type of differential reinforcement would be a child who repeatedly leaves his seat during dinnertime. The parent would set a timer for ten minutes.
What is a DRA procedure?
Definition. Differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors (DRA) and differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors (DRI) are both procedures designed to decrease the rate of targeted unwanted behaviors.
What does DRA stand for in ABA?
For many years, differential reinforcement (DR), commonly called Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA), is the preferred treatment for reducing disruptive and non-compliant behaviors in developmentally disabled children1.
When should DRO be used?
Use DRO for those behaviors that are multiply maintained or where you have been unsuccessful in identifying the function. Although this procedure is simple, there are significant disadvantages as well. Because you target one behavior or class of behaviors, you often inadvertently reinforce other challenging behaviors.
How do you use DRA?
0:111:16Using DRA to Reduce Problem Behavior - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn order to use DRA with functional reinforcement the adult prompts the client to ask nicely to beMoreIn order to use DRA with functional reinforcement the adult prompts the client to ask nicely to be all done and reinforces. Her by allowing the client to escape the task of touching her.
Is DRO and Dra the same?
There are four forms of differential reinforcement: Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behavior (DRI) Differential Reinforcement of Alternative behavior (DRA) Differential Reinforcement of Other behavior (DRO)
What are the 4 types of reinforcement?
There are four types of reinforcement. Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, extinction, and punishment.
What are the 4 types of differential reinforcement?
Types of Differential ReinforcementDifferential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA) ... Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI) ... Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) ... Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates (DRL)
How do you run a DRO?
1:462:57How to: Use a DRO Procedure (Differential Reinforcement of Other ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf my student does engage in negative behavior. During that four minute interval I'm going to stop IMoreIf my student does engage in negative behavior. During that four minute interval I'm going to stop I'm going to redirect the behavior.
What is an example of DRI?
Another example of a behavior that could be treated with DRI is that of a young child who, while watching television, continually “twiddles” with her hair to the extent that bald patches are appearing. Such hair “twiddling” could be reduced by reinforcing the child for cuddling a teddy bear.
How do I get my autistic child to stop spitting?
Here are the most effective ways to respond if your child spits:Stay Calm. ... Tell Your Child Spitting Is Unacceptable. ... Make Your Child Clean It Up. ... Place Your Child in Time-Out. ... Use Restitution. ... Teach Your Child What to Do Instead. ... Reinforce Good Behavior.
What is an extinction burst describe an example?
What is an example of an extinction burst? When one puts money in a vending machine, he then pushes the buttons indicating his selection. If nothing comes out of the machine, it is likely that he will push the buttons again and again. This increase in pushing the buttons can be defined as an extinction burst.
What is DRO quizlet?
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) In this intervention, the reinforcer is given as long as the targeted inappropriate behavior does not occur or it is given in the absence of targeted behavior. This serves to directly decrease the inappropriate behavior. You just studied 4 terms!
What is an example of differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior?
Another example of a behavior that could be treated with DRI is that of a young child who, while watching television, continually “twiddles” with her hair to the extent that bald patches are appearing. Such hair “twiddling” could be reduced by reinforcing the child for cuddling a teddy bear.
What is an example of Noncontingent reinforcement?
Noncontingent reinforcement is not dependent on a behavior and happens on a set schedule. For example, having a child sit next to you for story time, regardless of how good or how bad the child's behavior was earlier that day, is noncontingent reinforcement. The child does not have to earn the reward.
What is a DRA?
DRA is “a procedure for decreasing problem behavior in which reinforcement is delivered for a behavior that serves as a desirable alternative to the behavior targeted for reduction and withheld following instances of the problem behavior (e.g., reinforcing completion of academic worksheet items when the behavior targeted for reduction is talk-outs)” (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). The key thing to remember here is if you are implementing a DRA, a specified alternative behavior has been selected for reinforcement.
What is DRO in psychology?
With DRO, you would reinforce any behavior that wasn’t the behavior targeted for change.
What is a DRA example?
DRA involves reinforcing a behavior that serves as an alternative to the inappropriate behavior. A good example of this would be a child who demands food from his parents. Each time the child makes a demand, his parents would ignore him. Only when the child asks politely do the parents turn, acknowledge him, and satisfy his request.
What is a DRI in school?
DRI involves reinforcing behavior that can’t occur at the same time as the inappropriate behavior. For example, a teacher wants the child to remain in his seat. Each time the student leaves his seat, the behavior is ignored. However, when the child remains seated, the teacher rewards him with a sticker.
What is differential reinforcement?
Differential reinforcement is reinforcing a target behavior while withholding reinforcement from an unwanted behavior. The goal is to replace unwanted behaviors with desirable behaviors.
How to use differential reinforcement?
Differential reinforcement procedures are widely used by parents and teachers in daily lives.
What are the types of differential reinforcement?
There are different types of DR, all of which entail reinforcing one class of behavior while withholding from another. The four most researched types are differential reinforcement of alternate behavior, differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior, differential reinforcement of other behavior, and differential reinforcement of low rates.
Differential reinforcement in parenting
DR is the method of choice in many positive parenting programs 8 or intervention treatment for problem behavior in children. It is proven to be effective in changing a child’s behavior in a clinical environment and in the short term 9.
Effectiveness, criticisms, and when not to use
DR works on the principles of behaviorism, which does not take into account the mental processes of an individual. In other words, DR assumes that you can train your child to adopt or give up certain behavior just as well as you can train a monkey, rat or pigeon as these were the animals used to establish the potency of reinforcement.
Final Thoughts
In summary, differential reinforcement involves withholding reinforcement for unwanted behavior and providing it only to an appropriate replacement behavior. Research has shown that it is an effective tool for changing behavior in children in the short term, but long term effectiveness has been proven questionable.
What is the difference between DRO and DRA?
The difference is that in DRA you’re looking for a specific replacement behavior (alternative behavior) and DRO you’re looking for any other behaviors.
What is DRO in psychology?
DRO is not a punishment procedure. Punishment means a procedure is used to reduce a behavior. DRO is Differential Reinforcement of Other behavior , reinforcement is in the name. Basically this means that behaviors other than the target behavior are reinforced. For example, if the target behavior is yelling, behaviors other than yelling (calm voice, asking nicely, whispers) are reinforced.
Is DRO a punishment procedure?
I disagree. I believe DRO is a punishment procedure. Look at the direction of the target behavior, let’s stick with yelling as in your example. An effective DRO would result in a deceleration/decrease of yelling behavior. A consequence that results in the decreased future occurrence of a behavior is operating as a punisher.
Does DRA include extinction?
DRA does not by definition include the use of extinction. Extinction is often included to supplement the effects of DRA but should be done with careful ethical and practical considerations.
Is DRO a punishment?
Lord_of_Pendants is correct in his explanations. DRO is not a punishment. The goal is to reduce behavior by not reinforcing them if they do occur addressed by function, of course. DRO contingencies including the reinforcement schedule are in place in the environment before the behavior starts, therefore no change in the environment occurs as a consequence of the behavior. Positive and negative Punishment are consequence procedures. DRO and extinction are in effect in the antecedent. Extinction is not a punishment procedure. Extinction is in the lack of reinforcement of a behavior. There is nothing added or subtracted in the environment when the problem behavior occurs. I hope this makes sense.
What is a DRO procedure?
A DRO procedure can include one of two approaches. Interval DRO. Momentary DRO. An interval DRO is when reinforcement is given after a specific amount of time has passed and only if the targeted behavior was not displayed during that entire time.
What is a DRA example?
Example of DRA. For instance, a parent may want to see their child picking up his toys instead of talking to his sibling. Since the child could do both of these behaviors at the same time, picking up toys is not an incompatible behavior. Instead, picking up toys is an alternative behavior to talking.
What is momentary DRO?
A momentary DRO is when reinforcement is given at a specific moment in time if the targeted behavior is not being displayed at that time.
What is spaced response DRL?
A spaced-responding DRL is when reinforcement is provided based upon the behavior being displayed only after a set amount of time has passed since the last time the behavior was displayed.
What is full session DRL?
A full session DRL is when reinforcement is provided only if the behavior was displayed at a rate within the criterion set for the entire session.
What is DRI in psychology?
With DRI, a behavior that is “incompatible” with the targeted behavior is reinforced at a higher rate than the targeted behavior itself.
Can a DRO reinforce maladaptive behavior?
When using a DRO, it’s possible that you could reinforce maladaptive behaviors that are not the initially identified maladaptive behavior. Consider this and watch for this as you use this procedure.

Introduction
- Recently weve been delving into different types of differential reinforcement. Weve taken a look at why differential reinforcement is valuable as well as how to use DRI. Today, well look at two more that are closely related: Differential Reinforcement of Alternative behavior (DRA) and Differential Reinforcement of Other behavior (DRO).
Overview
- DRA is a procedure for decreasing problem behavior in which reinforcement is delivered for a behavior that serves as a desirable alternative to the behavior targeted for reduction and withheld following instances of the problem behavior (e.g., reinforcing completion of academic worksheet items when the behavior targeted for reduction is talk-outs) (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). Th…
Example
- For example, Miss Watson wants her students to stop calling out answers. She decides she will not reinforce students calling out. In her situation, this means that if a student calls out she will not provide them with any attention, including reminders not to call out. She is going to reinforce the alternative behavior of raising your hand. This is a very common use of DRA, and it works we…
Features
- DRO is quite similar. It is a procedure for decreasing problem behavior in which reinforcement is contingent on the absence of the problem behavior during or at specific times (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). With DRO, you would reinforce any behavior that wasnt the behavior targeted for change.
Risks
- DRO is especially beneficial because it is widely applicable, relatively rapid, and often durable and general (Mayer, Sulzer-Azaroff, & Wallace, 2014). However, you should be aware that you may run the risk of reinforcing other unwanted behavior. It can also make you focus on the negative, since youre always looking for the problem behavior or the absence of the problem behavior (as oppo…
Resources
- Cooper J.O, Heron T.E, Heward W.L. Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson; 2007
Personal
- Sam is an ABA provider for students ages 3-12 in NYC. Working in education for ten years with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental delays, Sam has developed strategies for achieving a multitude of academic, behavior, and social goals. Sam is currently pursuing her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis at Endicott College.