RBT Differential Reinforcement: DRA, DRO, and DRI

Name the contingency, then the acronym

Differential reinforcement strengthens one class of behavior while other behavior contacts a different consequence. Name DRA, DRO, or DRI from the contingency, not from the acronym you memorized first. Match the stem to alternative, interval-without, or incompatible →. Behavior reduction is the domain map. Extinction is withholding the maintaining reinforcer. Many plans combine them. Reinforcement versus punishment still defines the consequence.

DRA (alternative): reinforce a specified replacement (a mand, a work task) and do not reinforce the target problem behavior.

DRO (other / omission): reinforce if the target did not occur for a whole interval. The “other” behavior is not a specific skill unless the plan adds one.

DRI (incompatible): reinforce a response that cannot happen at the same time (hands in lap versus hitting).

DRL (lower rates) exists in the broader literature. If the stem describes it, follow the stem. Do not invent DRL if the item is clearly DRO.

Function still matters

If the problem is maintained by attention, a DRA that delivers attention for a mand is aligned. A DRA that delivers a snack for a mand may not compete. ABC and functions is the assessment sibling. Technicians implement; they do not freelance a new function.

Original teaching sketch: Hitting maintained by escape: DRA might reinforce handing a break card. DRO might deliver a token if hitting did not occur for 30 seconds. DRI might reinforce sitting with hands occupied on a bin that cannot be used to hit. Only the written plan picks among them.

These sketches are original.

When DRA and DRO still swap, use stems that only change whether a specific alternative was named →.

Fidelity

Reset the DRO interval the way the sheet says after the target occurs.

Do not sneak extra attention onto the problem behavior “to keep them calm” if that is the functional reinforcer.

Do not call planned ignoring DRA. Ignoring without a reinforced alternative is closer to extinction plus nothing.

The what-to-study guide places reduction in Domain D.

If acronyms are the miss, keep a DRA-DRO-DRI block →.

A replacement skill that is never reinforced is a poster, not DRA.

Then mix differential reinforcement with extinction items → so you can tell withholding from teaching.