Question
A Behavior Analyst has developed a program to decrease finger picking. When the client is engaged in finger picking, the therapist presents an instruction to engage in another behavior such as: clap hands, hands in lap, or hands on head. When the client engages in these types of replacement behaviors, the BCBA provides reinforcement to the client. What kind of differential reinforcement procedure is the behavior analyst using?
- DRH
- DRO
- DRI
- DRL
Rationale
Step 1: Identify the concept being tested
This question tests your understanding of differential reinforcement procedures.
Step 2: Analyze the question
In this scenario, the behavior analyst has created a program to decrease an interfering behavior by using a differential reinforcement procedure and providing a directive. The demand examples listed are behaviors that are incompatible with picking fingers.
The Correct Answer is C
Differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors is a procedure in which a behavior that cannot be performed at the same time as the problem behavior warrants reinforcement while the problem behavior no longer receives reinforcement.
Incorrect Choices:
- Differential reinforcement of high rates of behavior is used to increase the rates of a target behavior. In a DRH procedure, higher rates of the behavior are reinforced.
- Differential reinforcement of other behavior is a procedure for decreasing problem behavior in which reinforcement is contingent on the absence of the problem for predetermined intervals of time.
- Differential reinforcement of low rates of behavior is a procedure in which reinforcement is provided contingent upon low rates of the target behavior. In a DRL, reinforcement is provided based on increasing interresponse times.
Task List Reference:
Task List 4 Section Area:
D. Fundamental Elements of Behavior Change
Task List 4 Item:
D-21. Use differential reinforcement