On the definition of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior.

Timothy R Vollmer, Kerri P Peters, Faris R Kronfli, Lindsay A Lloveras, Vivian F Ibañez
Author Information
  1. Timothy R Vollmer: University of Florida.
  2. Kerri P Peters: University of Florida.
  3. Faris R Kronfli: University of Florida.
  4. Lindsay A Lloveras: University of Florida.
  5. Vivian F Ibañez: University of Florida.

Abstract

Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) has a long history as a behavioral treatment. The term has usually been defined in a manner that suggests one form of behavior (usually some appropriate alternative) is reinforced, while another form of behavior (usually problem behavior) is placed on extinction. In this paper, we will suggest that DRA should not require extinction, either procedurally or by definition. Ideally, problem behavior would be placed on extinction when possible; however, when problem behavior is not or cannot be placed on extinction, the procedure used is still DRA. Thus, we propose the following definition: Providing greater reinforcement, along at least one dimension, contingent on the occurrence of one form or type of behavior, while minimizing reinforcement for another form or type of behavior.

Keywords

References

  1. Allen, K., & Harris, F. R. (1966). Elimination of a child's excessive scratching by training the mother in reinforcement procedures. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 4, 79-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(66)90046-5
  2. Athens, E. S., & Vollmer, T. R. (2010). An investigation of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 569-589. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2010.43-569
  3. Beavers, G. A., Iwata, B. A., & Lerman, D. C. (2013). Thirty years of research on the functional analysis of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.30
  4. Borrero, C. S. W., Vollmer, T. R., Borrero, J. C., Bourret, J. C., Sloman, K. N., Samaha, A. L., & Dallery, J. (2010). Concurrent reinforcement schedules for problem behavior and appropriate behavior: Experimental applications of the matching law. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 93, 455-469. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2010.93-455
  5. Briggs, A. M., Dozier, C. L., Lessor, A. N., Kamana, B. U., & Jess, R. L. (2019). Further investigation of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction for escape-maintained destructive behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 52, 956-973. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.648
  6. Carr, E. G., & Durand, V. M. (1985). Reducing behavior problems through functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18, 111-126. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111
  7. Chung, S., & Herrnstein, R. J. (1967). Choice and delay of reinforcement. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 10, 67-74. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1967.10-67
  8. Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2019). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
  9. Davison, M. (1988). Concurrent schedules: Interaction of reinforcer frequency and reinforcer duration. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 49, 339-349. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1988.49-339
  10. Dixon, M. R., & Cummings, A. (2001). Self-control in children with autism: Response allocation during delays to reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34, 491-495. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2001.34-491
  11. Dowdy, A., Tincani, M., Nipe, T., & Weiss, M. J. (2018). Effects of reinforcement without extinction on increasing compliance with nail cutting: A systematic replication. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51, 924-930. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.484
  12. Fisher, W. W., & Mazur, J. E. (1997). Basic and applied research on choice responding. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30, 387-410. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1997.30-387
  13. Gardner, A. W., Wacker, D. P., & Boelter, E. W. (2009). An evaluation of the interaction between quality of attention and negative reinforcement with children who display escape-maintained problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 343-348. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2009.42-343
  14. Greer, B. D., & Shahan, T. A. (2019). Resurgence as choice: Implications for promoting durable behavior change. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 52, 816-846. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.573
  15. Hall, R. V., Lund, D., & Jackson, D. (1968). Effects of teacher attention on study behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1968.1-1
  16. Hanley, G. P., Iwata, B. A., & McCord, B. E. (2003). Functional analysis of problem behavior: A review. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 147-185. https://doi:10.1901/jaba.2003.36-147
  17. Herrnstein, R. J. (1961). Relative and absolute strength of response as a function of frequency of reinforcement. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 4, 267-272. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1961.4-267
  18. Hoch, H., McComas, J. J., Thompson, A. L., & Paone, D. (2002). Concurrent reinforcement schedules: Behavior change and maintenance without extinction. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 35, 155-169. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2002.35-155
  19. Jessel, J., & Borrero, J. C. (2014). A laboratory comparison of two variations of differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate procedures. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 314-324. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.114
  20. Kimball, R. T., Kelley, M. E., Podlesnik, C. A., Forton, A., & Hinkle, B. (2018). Resurgence with and without an alternative response. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51, 854-865. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.466
  21. Kunnavatana, S. S., Bloom, S. E., Samaha, A. L., Slocum, T. A., & Clay, C. J. (2018). Manipulating parameters of reinforcement to reduce problem behavior without extinction. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51, 283-302. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.443
  22. Lerman, D. C., Kelley, M. E., Camp, C. M., & Roane, H. S. (1999). Effects of reinforcement magnitude on spontaneous recovery. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 197-200. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1999.32-197
  23. MacNaul, H. L., & Neely, L. C. (2017). Systematic review of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction for individuals with autism. Behavior Modification, 42, 398-421. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445517740321
  24. Manente, C. J., Maraventano, J. C., Larue, R. H., Delmolino, L., & Sloan, D. (2010). Effective behavioral intervention for adults on the autism spectrum: Best practices in functional assessment and treatment development. The Behavior Analyst Today, 11(1), 36-48. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0100687
  25. Miltenberger, R. G. (2018). In W. R. MacDonald (Ed.), Behavior modification: Principles and procedures (6th ed.). School Resource Services Library.
  26. Nevin, J. A. (1998). Choice and momentum. In W. O'Donohue (Ed.), Learning and behavior therapy (pp. 230-251). Allyn and Bacon.
  27. Newcomb, E. T., Wright, J. A., & Camblin, J. G. (2019). Assessment and treatment of aggressive behavior maintained by access to physical attention. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 19, 222-231. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000136
  28. Piazza, C. P., Moes, D. R., & Fisher, W. W. (1996). Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior and demand fading in the treatment of escape-maintained destructive behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29, 569-572. https://dx.doi.org/10.1901%2Fjaba.1996.29-569
  29. Shahan, T. A., & Craig, A. R. (2017). Resurgence as choice. Behavioural Processes, 141, 100-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2016.10.006
  30. Slocum, S. K., & Vollmer, T. R. (2015). A comparison of positive and negative reinforcement for compliance to treat problem behavior maintained by escape. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 48, 563-574. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.216
  31. Tiger, J. H., Hanley, G. P., & Bruzek, J. (2008). Functional communication training: A review and practical guide. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1, 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03391716
  32. Trump, C. E., Ayres, K. M., Quinland, K. K., & Zabala, K. A. (2019). Differential reinforcement without extinction: A review of the literature. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000169
  33. Volkert, V. M., Lerman, D. C., & Vorndran, C. (2005). The effects of reinforcement magnitude on functional analysis outcomes. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 38, 147-162. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2005.111-04
  34. Vollmer, T. R., & Iwata, B. A. (1992). Differential reinforcement as treatment for behavior disorders: Procedural and functional variations. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 13, 393-417. https://doi.org/10.1016/0891-4222(92)90013-V
  35. Vollmer, T. R., Sloman, K. N., & St. Peter Pipkin, C. S. (2008). Practical implications of data reliability and treatment integrity monitoring. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1, 4-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03391722
  36. Zimmerman, E. H., & Zimmerman, J. (1962). The alteration of behavior in a special classroom situation. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 5, 59-60. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1962.5-59

MeSH Term

Behavior Therapy
Extinction, Psychological
Humans
Problem Behavior
Reinforcement Schedule
Reinforcement, Psychology
Terminology as Topic

Word Cloud

Created with Highcharts 10.0.0behaviorreinforcementextinctionalternativeformDRAusuallyoneproblemplacedanotherdefinitiontypedifferentialDifferentiallonghistorybehavioraltreatmenttermdefinedmannersuggestsappropriatereinforcedpaperwillsuggestrequireeitherprocedurallyIdeallypossiblehoweverprocedureusedstillThusproposefollowingdefinition:Providinggreateralongleastdimensioncontingentoccurrenceminimizingterminology

Similar Articles

Cited By