Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior

Description of the Strategy

A reinforcement schedule designed to differentially reinforce other behavior (DRO) is useful when the goal is to gradually eliminate a behavior. When a DRO schedule is in effect, a reinforcer is presented only if an unwanted response does not occur during a predetermined period of time. Reinforcing an increase in the time without the behavior produces a decrease in the rate of the behavior. Because reinforcement is not contingent on the emission of any particular response, any response other than the specified response may be reinforced (e.g., sitting still, sleeping, or doing “nothing”). The DRO schedule is also described as differential reinforcement of zero rates or as omission training because reinforcement is delivered for a zero rate (the ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles