Deck 12: Differential Reinforcement Procedures to Decrease Behavior

Question 1

Why might a DRI schedule sometimes be chosen instead of a DRO schedule?

Answer 1

When using a DRO schedule to decrease a problem behavior, the problem behavior might be replaced by an incompatible behavior that is also undesirable.A DRI would prevent this possibility by specifying the incompatible behavior that is to be reinforced.

Question 2

What immediate consequence might account for the effectiveness of the delayed reinforcement contingency applied to Tommy's talk-outs?

Answer 2

First, praise from the teacher when she informed Tommy about the free play that he had earned may have been presented immediately following the 50-minute session, and may have helped to reinforce Tommy's behavior that was incompatible with talking out.Second, rule-governed behavior may account to some extent for the effectiveness of the delayed reinforcement contingency.That is, Tommy might have spent a good deal of time thinking something like, "If I don't have very many talk-outs, I'm going to have lots of fun during my extra play time." This rule describing the contingency may have helped evoke some desirable behavior of Tommy that was incompatible with talking out.

Question 3

Describe briefly, point by point, how Tommy's talking out in class was reduced.

Answer 3

(a)Tommy received instructions about a procedure.
(b)According to the procedure, 5 minutes of play at the end of the day was made available to Tommy for each 50-minute session where he had 3 or fewer "talk-outs." Thus, frequent talk-outs were not consequated by a special reinforcer.Infrequent talk-outs were consequated by a special reinforcer.

Question 4

What happens if the frequency of reinforcement on DRL, DRO, DRI, or DRA is too low or is decreased too rapidly?

Question 5

Define spaced-responding DRL, and give an example.

Question 6

Explain what a DRI schedule is. Give an example that is not in this chapter.

Question 7

What is the difference between DRI and DRA?

Question 8

What is the difference in the use of the schedules of reinforcement in Chapter 8 compared to the differential reinforcement procedures in this chapter?

Question 9

What is a procedural difference between a spaced-responding DRL and an FD schedule?

Question 10

Give in some detail an example, which is not in this chapter, of how DRL would be useful in treating a behavior problem. Indicate which type of DRL is to be used.

Question 11

Explain what a DRO schedule is. Give an example of one that occurs in everyday life.

Question 12

Explain, in general, what a DRL schedule is. Give an example of one that occurs in everyday life, and that is not in this chapter.

Question 13

Describe how saying a rule to himself may have influenced Tommy's decreased talk-outs.

Question 14

Describe a pitfall of DRL for people who are ignorant of its effects.
Give an example.

Question 15

Define limited-responding DRL, and give an example.

Question 16

What two words does the O in DRO stand for? Explain your answer.

Question 17

Give in some detail an example, which is not in this chapter, of how a DRO might be useful in treating a behavior problem.

Question 18

How is a spaced-responding DRL procedurally similar to and different from an FI schedule?