Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO)
Delivering a reinforcer when the problem behavior has not occurred during a set interval, or at a set moment, so reinforcement depends on the behavior's absence.
DRO reinforces not doing the problem behavior. The supervisor sets an interval, such as 2 minutes, based on how often the behavior currently occurs. In the most common version, if the problem behavior does not occur at all during the interval, the RBT delivers the reinforcer at the end. If it does occur, no reinforcer is delivered for that interval. In a resetting DRO, the interval timer restarts when the behavior occurs; in a nonresetting DRO, the timer keeps running on a fixed schedule. In momentary DRO, reinforcement depends only on the behavior not occurring at the moment the interval ends.
The interval usually starts short enough that the client can succeed often, then the supervisor lengthens it as problem behavior decreases. Problem behavior is typically placed on extinction during DRO.
DRO does not specify which behavior should replace the problem behavior. A limitation is that another undesirable behavior could happen to occur right before reinforcement and be strengthened. For that reason, many plans combine DRO with teaching an alternative behavior, or include a rule about not delivering reinforcement if another problem behavior is occurring.
The RBT runs an accurate timer, delivers or withholds the reinforcer according to the exact rules, resets the interval if the plan calls for it, and records the result of every interval.
Example and non-example
| Example | A client's plan uses a 3-minute resetting DRO for spitting. The RBT gives a token each time 3 minutes pass with no spitting; when spitting occurs, the RBT restarts the timer. |
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| Non-example | An RBT gives a client attention every 3 minutes no matter what the client is doing. Delivery does not depend on the absence of problem behavior, so this is noncontingent reinforcement. |
Don't confuse it with
| Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) | NCR delivers the reinforcer on schedule regardless of behavior, while DRO withholds it if problem behavior occurred. |
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| Differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL) | DRL reinforces the behavior itself when it occurs at a low rate, while DRO reinforces its complete absence for the interval. |
Test yourself
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Question 1A plan gives a client a token at the end of each 5-minute interval in which no hitting occurs. Which procedure is combined with the token system?
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A: DRO. Reinforcing the absence of a behavior for a set interval is differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO). Here tokens are the reinforcer used.
- B: DRA reinforces a specific alternative behavior, not the absence of hitting.
- C: DRI reinforces a specific behavior that cannot occur at the same time as the problem behavior.
- D: Response cost removes tokens after a behavior; this plan gives tokens.
Task C.11 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 2Which feature shows that a procedure is NCR and not DRO?
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B: Delivery does not depend on whether problem behavior occurred. In NCR, the scheduled reinforcer is delivered regardless of behavior. In DRO, it is delivered only if problem behavior did not occur during the interval.
- A: Both NCR and DRO can use the reinforcer that maintains the problem behavior.
- C: Both procedures often use timers.
- D: Both procedures can deliver the reinforcer at the end of a set interval.
Task D.2 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 3In differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), when is the reinforcer delivered?
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B: When problem behavior is absent for the interval. DRO delivers the reinforcer contingent on the absence of the problem behavior for the interval set in the plan.
- A: Reinforcing a specific alternative behavior is DRA.
- C: Reinforcing a low rate of the behavior is DRL.
- D: Delivery after a set time regardless of behavior is NCR.
Task D.3 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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On the RBT exam
This term belongs to task D.3 Differential reinforcement in content area D, Behavior Reduction, which is 14 of the 75 scored questions.