Lecture 7 - Differential Reinforcement

differential reinforcement

programming different reinforcement schedules for two different behaviors

generally includes reinforcement and extinction

very effective

reinforced behavior _____ as it contacts reinforcement

increases

behavior on extinction/thin reinforcement will ______ leading to more opportunities for the desired behavior to occur

decrease

A PT patient who chats too much during their exercises

reinforce:

extinction:

reinforce: exercises

extinction: chatting

how to differentially reinforce

1. define target behavior

2. define target undesirable behavior

3. identify the reinforcer

4. arrange the reinforcement schedules to favor the desirable response

going on your phone while studying for class

target:

undesirable behavior:

reinforcer:

arranging differential reinforcement:

target: studying for school

undesirable behavior: getting distracted on your phone

reinforcer: escape studying

arranging differential reinforcement: study for 45 min w/o phone and get a 15 min break on phone

functional reinforcer

Object/event that is maintaining the problem behavior

arbitrary reinforcer

a stimulus that does not maintain the behavior prior to intervention but which functions as a reinforcer regardless

prefer _______ reinforcer over ________ reinforcement

functional; arbitrary

Premack principle

more probable behaviors will reinforce less probable behaviors

example: eating all your vegetables (less prob) will be rewarded with desert (more prob)

why do we want to identify preferences

higher preferred items tend to function as more effective reinforcers

how to identify preferences

watch

ask

preference assessment

single stimulus preference assessment

A stimulus is presented and a person's reaction to it is noted. May best be suited for individuals with trouble selecting from two or more stimuli.

ONE toy is set out in front of a baby at a tie and record how often/long they engaged in toy

Paired stimulus preference assessment

Two items are presented each trial and the child is asked to make a choice

compare how often/long each item is selected

multiple stimulus assessment (with replacement)

all stimuli presented at once, once organism chooses let interaction occur

then reset and present all items again

multiple stimulus assessment (without replacement)

all stimuli presented at once, once organisms choose let interaction occur

then reset with original chosen item missing

common applications of differential reinforcement

DRA

DRI

FCT

DRO

DRH

DRL

differential reinforcement of alternate behavior (DRA)

reinforcer is delivered for alternative (desireable) behavior

extinction for problem behavior

MOST COMMON

example of DRA

a child's good table manners are reinforced with praise by passing the requested food. The child's bad table manners are extinguished by ignoring and not passing food

when to use DRA

1. You want to increase a desirable behavior and/or decrease undesirable behaviors.

2. The desirable behavior already occurs at least occasionally or you can prompt it.

3. You have a reinforcer you can use.

reinforcement can be used for behaviors dimensions:

frequency

consistency

performance quality/accuracy

creativity

duration

incompatible

you cannot do the alternative behavior at the same Tim was the problem behavior

differential reinforcement of an incompatible behavior

choose an alternative behavior that is physically incompatible with problem behavior

example: if someone yells during dry needling, reinforce them to whisper

differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO)

reinforcement of non-occurrence of behavior, or reinforcement of omission of behavior

example: reduction of insurance after no accidents after 6 mo

breaks from tasks every 20 min for absence of problem behavior

steps for using DRO

an interval of time is identified based on behavior

any display of the inappropriate behavior results in a re-setting of the interval

gradual increase interval as problem behavior decreases

whole interval DRO

the problem behavior must be absent for the whole interval for the reinforcer to be delivered

momentary DRO

the problem must be absent at the end of the interval for reinforcement

set a 20 min timer and check on behavior

downsides of DRO

if re-setting interval, have to constantly monitor behavior

may reinforce some other behavior In time behavior

doesn't necessarily increase some alternative, appropriate behavior

differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL)

used to get a behavior to occur less often but not looking to eliminate behavior

full session or spaced responding

full session DRL

the reinforcer is delivered when fewer than a specified number of responses occur per time period (session)

the reinforcer is delivered at the end of session

timing of responses is not important

example of full session DRL

dessert is given if child whines less than 3 times

doesn't matter when they whine

spaced responding DRL

the reinforcer is delivered for a response when its separated from the previous response by a specified interval of time (inter response time)

if response occurs in an interval, it is reset

individual responses are reinforced when IRT is greater than behavior latency

timing is important

spaced responding DRL example

child is called on in class only if it has been 10 min since he last raised his hand

DRH (differential reinforcement of high rates)

used when you want to increase the speed of the behavior

set a criterion and provide reinforcement if above a threshold

set a criterion for the amount of time between a response and the next will be reinforced

ideal circumstances

extinction of problem behavior

reinforcement of desirable behavior

respondent protocol

reduce fear, anger, frustration, or increase joy, happiness

operant protocol

extinction of undesired behavior

conditioning = learning am operant response to a stimulus

protocol is a _________

response-contingent