Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates of Behavior (DRL) (ABA TERMS) (BCBA Exam Prep)

In this video, we will examine differential reinforcement of lower rates of behavior (DRL).
This article is useful for registered behavior technicians (RBT) or students who are studying to become board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs). Understanding (Applied Behavior Analysis) ABA terms is critical for both being an effective ABA therapist and passing your BCBA exam.
Definition of DRL:
DRL is used when you reinforce a behavior when it occurs under a predetermined number of times in a time period.
You would use DRL when:
You would use DRL when a behavior is acceptable but it occurs at a rate that is too high. The goal of the DRL would not be to eliminate or replace the behavior but lower the rate that it occurs. The goal is to increase the inter response time between occurrences of the behavior. More often than not, the rate reinforced is set based upon the baseline and the criteria changes as the behavior starts to decrease.
There are three different types of DRL:
Full Session DRL:
Full session DRL is when you provide reinforcement when a behavior occurs less than a predetermined number of times in an entire treatment session. This is an effective strategy for teachers because it is easy to implement. It does require a student to be able to wait until the end of a treatment session to gain access to reinforcement.
Example of Full Session DRL:
Alyssa constantly asks for help with every problem on a 10 question worksheet. This has created a dependence on her teacher. Alyssa is told she can only ask for help 5 times per worksheet. Eventually, this is reduced to 3 times and 1 time. Alyssa eventually learns to complete her worksheets without excessively asking for help and gains confidence and independence.
Interval DRL:
Interval DRL is when you break a treatment session into equal intervals. Reinforcement is delivered at the end of the interval if the behavior occurred under a predetermined number of times. As soon as a behavior exceeds the occurrence limit, the interval is reset. Interval DRL is more work to implement but it provides the learner more frequent access to reinforcement.
Example of Interval DRL:
Alexander gets up frequently during class. He will get up at least 10 times per hour. It is okay for Alexander to get up during class but his teacher believes that he is getting up too often. Alexander's teacher tells him that he is only allowed to get up 5 times per hour during class. When Alexander gets up five or fewer times per hour, he receives a sticker.
Spaced Responding DRL:
Spaced responding DRL is when you provide reinforcement when the interresponse time of a behavior is greater than a minimum specified amount of time. This is the most effective DRL procedure for making sure that a behavior is reduced and not eliminated. Like interval DRL, spaced responding DRL also provides a learner with more frequent access to reinforcement. It is the only DRL procedure that provides reinforcement immediately after a behavior occurs. With full session and interval DRL, reinforcement could be obtained if the rate of behavior is 0.
Example of Spaced Responding DRL)
Amy raises her question every single time the teacher asks a question and gets frustrated when her teacher does not call on her. Amy's teacher is excited that Amy wants to participate in class and does not want her to stop raising her hand but wants to reduce her hand raising to a rate that is commensurate with the other students in the class. Amy is told that once she raises her hand, she must wait five minutes before she can raise her hand again. If Amy waits at least five minutes, after raising her hand, her teacher immediately calls on her and tells her she did a good job waiting to raise her hand. If she raises her hand before the five minutes is up, Amy's teacher does not call on her and reminds her she must wait five minutes to raise her hand. Each time Amy raises her hand before five minutes is up her teachers resets the interval.

[@TexasTornado66]

Miss you! RIP

[@cherycecampbell-davis703]

I love that you get right to it and you are very clear and easy to understand. Wonderful examples!

[@HopeEducationServices]

Thanks 🙏

[@marshasadjadi7526]

This is great. Thank you so much.

[@HopeEducationServices]

My pleasure

[@natachacuervo6237]

Thanks 🙏

[@mamamido7419]

what is the difference between DRL & DRD?

[@avahorton4977]

DRL = Time 3 minutes
DRD = Amount 3 instances