Differential reinforcement of other behavior increases untargeted behavior.
Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) is a commonly used technique for behavior reduction, yet there has been little to no emphasis on the possible strengthening effects on other behavior. We included 2 responses (target and other) across 3 treatment schedules (DRO, extinction, and fixed time [FT]) in a human-operant procedure to determine the extent to which reinforcer presentation at the completion of the DRO interval could strengthen other responding. A computer program arranged for unsignaled changes in contingencies to a target response and never provided reinforcers for the other response. All 13 college-student participants exhibited more other responses than target responses during at least 1 exposure to DRO. Although there was a slight increase in other behavior during extinction, overall rates of other responding were never higher than that of the target response. Furthermore, 7 of 13 participants never emitted the other response during the FT condition. The findings provide some support for the response-strengthening effects of DRO.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY.
Joshua
J
Jessel
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY.
John C
JC
Borrero
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY.
Jessica L
JL
Becraft
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
differential reinforcement of other behavior; extinction; fixed time; noncontingent reinforcement; translational research