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Timothy R Vollmer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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On the definition of Differential Reinforcement of alternative behavior
Journal of applied behavior analysis, 2020Co-Authors: Timothy R Vollmer, Kerri P. Peters, Faris R. Kronfli, Lindsay A. Lloveras, Vivian F. IbañezAbstract:Differential Reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) has a long history as a behavioral treatment. The term has usually been defined in a manner that suggests one form of behavior (usually some appropriate alternative) is reinforced, while another form of behavior (usually problem behavior) is placed on extinction. In this paper, we will suggest that DRA should not require extinction, either procedurally or by definition. Ideally, problem behavior would be placed on extinction when possible; however, when problem behavior is not or cannot be placed on extinction, the procedure used is still DRA. Thus, we propose the following definition: Providing greater Reinforcement, along at least one dimension, contingent on the occurrence of one form or type of behavior, while minimizing Reinforcement for another form or type of behavior.
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Using Differential Reinforcement of a discard response to treat pica
Behavioral Interventions, 2017Co-Authors: Sarah K. Slocum, Lindsay R. Mehrkam, Kerri P. Peters, Timothy R VollmerAbstract:Previous research on the treatment of pica (i.e., the ingestion of inedible objects) is limited compared to research on the treatment of other types of severe problem behavior. This study involved the use of Differential Reinforcement of alternative behavior, with a discard response as the alternative behavior, to treat pica presented by a 13-year-old girl with an autism spectrum disorder. We extended previous research by thinning the schedule of Reinforcement for the alternative response. Substantial reductions in pica were obtained. Limitations and future directions in the treatment of pica are discussed.
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An investigation of Differential Reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction.
Journal of applied behavior analysis, 2010Co-Authors: Elizabeth S. Athens, Timothy R VollmerAbstract:We manipulated relative Reinforcement for problem behavior and appropriate behavior using Differential Reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) without an extinction component. Seven children with developmental disabilities participated. We manipulated duration (Experiment 1), quality (Experiment 2), delay (Experiment 3), or a combination of each (Experiment 4), such that Reinforcement favored appropriate behavior rather than problem behavior even though problem behavior still produced Reinforcement. Results of Experiments 1 to 3 showed that behavior was often sensitive to manipulations of duration, quality, and delay in isolation, but the largest and most consistent behavior change was observed when several dimensions of Reinforcement were combined to favor appropriate behavior (Experiment 4). Results suggest strategies for reducing problem behavior and increasing appropriate behavior without extinction.
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evaluating treatment challenges with Differential Reinforcement of alternative behavior
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1999Co-Authors: Timothy R Vollmer, Joel E. Ringdahl, Henry S Roane, Bethany A MarcusAbstract:In prior research, Differential Reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) has been implemented at optimal treatment values: Problem behavior is never reinforced, and alternative behavior is always reinforced. However, in application, DRA is unlikely to be conducted optimally. In this study, following a functional analysis phase and a Differential Reinforcement at full implementation phase, we challenged initially positive treatment effects for 3 participants by implementing DRA at less than optimal parameters. For example, some occurrences of problem behavior were reinforced, and some occurrences of alternative behavior were not reinforced. Results suggested that when exposed to DRA at full implementation, participants showed a bias toward appropriate behavior in subsequent conditions during which ‘‘mistakes’’ (treatment challenges) were intentionally introduced. In addition, the negative effects of treatment challenges were quickly reversible, in comparison to the positive effects of DRA, which were not quickly reversible in the face of treatment challenges. DESCRIPTORS: functional analysis, Differential Reinforcement, aberrant behavior, treatment challenges
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Differential Reinforcement as treatment for behavior disorders: procedural and functional variations.
Research in developmental disabilities, 1992Co-Authors: Timothy R Vollmer, Brian A. IwataAbstract:For many years, Differential Reinforcement has been a prevalent and preferred treatment procedure for the reduction of behavior disorders. This paper reviews the procedural variations of Differential Reinforcement and discusses their functional properties. It is proposed that such procedures are more likely to be successful if behavioral function is a primary consideration in prescribing treatments; furthermore, limited success noted in previous research may be due to the arbitrary relationship that often exists between reinforcers and target behaviors when behavioral function is unknown. Despite the promise of a function-based approach to Differential Reinforcement, several current limitations exist in the identification and manipulation of relevant variables. Thus, further research is required to elucidate the relationship between aberrant behaviors and the variables responsible for maintaining them; otherwise, successful treatment cannot be expected. Several areas for future research are discussed conceptually as extensions of current and past experimentation.
Brian A. Iwata - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Treatment of Multiply Controlled Problem Behavior With Procedural Variations of Differential Reinforcement
Exceptionality, 2005Co-Authors: Pamela L. Neidert, Brian A. Iwata, Claudia L. DozierAbstract:We describe the assessment and treatment of 2 children with autism spectrum disorder whose problem behaviors (self-injury, aggression, and disruption) were multiply controlled. Results of functional analyses indicated that the children's problem behaviors were maintained by both positive Reinforcement (attention) and negative Reinforcement (escape from task demands). Subsequently, procedural variations of Differential Reinforcement and extinction were implemented in different contexts (attention and demand) and were effective in reducing problem behavior, increasing appropriate communication, and increasing compliance.
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Differential Reinforcement as treatment for behavior disorders: procedural and functional variations.
Research in developmental disabilities, 1992Co-Authors: Timothy R Vollmer, Brian A. IwataAbstract:For many years, Differential Reinforcement has been a prevalent and preferred treatment procedure for the reduction of behavior disorders. This paper reviews the procedural variations of Differential Reinforcement and discusses their functional properties. It is proposed that such procedures are more likely to be successful if behavioral function is a primary consideration in prescribing treatments; furthermore, limited success noted in previous research may be due to the arbitrary relationship that often exists between reinforcers and target behaviors when behavioral function is unknown. Despite the promise of a function-based approach to Differential Reinforcement, several current limitations exist in the identification and manipulation of relevant variables. Thus, further research is required to elucidate the relationship between aberrant behaviors and the variables responsible for maintaining them; otherwise, successful treatment cannot be expected. Several areas for future research are discussed conceptually as extensions of current and past experimentation.
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Reduction of multiple aberrant behaviors and concurrent development of self-care skills with Differential Reinforcement.
Research in developmental disabilities, 1992Co-Authors: Timothy R Vollmer, Brian A. Iwata, Richard G. Smith, Teresa A. RodgersAbstract:A modified functional analysis was used to assess the behavioral function of a profoundly retarded man's self-injurious behavior (SIB). Results of that analysis showed that the behavior was most likely to occur in a demand context (self-care instructions) but was maintained by positive Reinforcement in the form of attention and physical contact. The results of the functional analysis also prescribed a treatment involving Differential Reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA). Further investigation showed that other aberrant behaviors, such as aggression and disruption, were members of the same functional response class as SIB. The Differential Reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) procedure effectively reduced those behaviors while compliance to a self-care acquisition task increased markedly. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of determining behavioral function prior to treatment.
Christopher S. Evans - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The role of Differential Reinforcement in predator avoidance learning.
Behavioural processes, 2003Co-Authors: Andrea S. Griffin, Christopher S. EvansAbstract:Little is known about how predator recognition develops under natural conditions. Predispositions to respond to some stimuli preferentially are likely to interact with the effects of experience. Convergent evidence from several studies suggests that predator-nai;ve tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) have some ability to respond to vertebrate predators differently from non-predators and that antipredator responses can be selectively enhanced by experience. Here, we examined the effects of Differential Reinforcement on responses to a model fox (Vulpes vulpes), cat (Felis catus) and conspecific wallaby. During training, tammars experienced paired presentations of a model fox and a simulated capture, as well as presentations of a wallaby and a cat alone. Training enhanced responses to the fox, relative to the conspecific wallaby, but acquired responses to the two predators did not differ, despite repeated, non-reinforced presentations of the cat. Results suggest that experience interacts with the wallabies' ability to perceive predators as a natural category.
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The role of Differential Reinforcement in predator avoidance learning
Behavioural Processes, 2002Co-Authors: Andrea S. Griffin, Christopher S. EvansAbstract:Little is known about how predator recognition develops under natural conditions. Predispositions to respond to some stimuli preferentially are likely to interact with the effects of experience. Convergent evidence from several studies suggests that predator-na¨ ove tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) have some ability to respond to vertebrate predators differently from non-predators and that antipredator responses can be selectively enhanced by experience. Here, we examined the effects of Differential Reinforcement on responses to a model fox (Vulpes vulpes), cat (Felis catus) and conspecific wallaby. During training, tammars experienced paired presentations of a model fox and a simulated capture, as well as presentations of a wallaby and a cat alone. Training enhanced responses to the fox, relative to the conspecific wallaby, but acquired responses to the two predators did not differ, despite repeated, non-reinforced presentations of the cat. Results suggest that experience interacts with the wallabies’ ability to perceive predators as a natural category. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Wayne W. Fisher - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Treating excessively slow responding of a young man with asperger syndrome using Differential Reinforcement of short response latencies
Journal of applied behavior analysis, 2007Co-Authors: Jeffrey H. Tiger, Kelly J. Bouxsein, Wayne W. FisherAbstract:Fjellstedt and Sulzer-Azaroff (1973) used Differential Reinforcement of short latencies to decrease a child's latency to comply with instructions. We replicated this contingency with a young man diagnosed with Asperger syndrome across two tasks (question answering and math problem solving). We added a Differential Reinforcement contingency to teach the participant to discriminate between math problems that could be answered rapidly and those that required more time for accurate performance.
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stimulus fading and Differential Reinforcement for the treatment of needle phobia in a youth with autism
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2006Co-Authors: Daniel B Shabani, Wayne W. FisherAbstract:Stimulus fading in the form of gradually increased exposure to a fear-evoking stimulus, often combined with Differential Reinforcement, has been used to treat phobias in children who are otherwise normal and in children with autism. In this investigation, we applied stimulus fading plus Differential Reinforcement with an adolescent with autism and diabetes whose needle phobia had prevented medical monitoring of his blood glucose levels for over 2 years. Results showed that the treatment was successful in obtaining daily blood samples for measuring glucose levels.
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An Alternative Method of Thinning Reinforcer Delivery during Differential Reinforcement.
Journal of applied behavior analysis, 2004Co-Authors: Henry S Roane, Wayne W. Fisher, Gina M. Sgro, Terry S. Falcomata, Robert R. PabicoAbstract:Differential Reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) may result in rates of Reinforcement that are impractical for caregivers to implement; therefore, recent research has examined methods for thinning reinforcer delivery during DRA. In this study, reinforcer delivery was thinned during DRA by restricting access to the participant's alternative response materials.
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Differential Reinforcement OF ALTERNATIVE BEHAVIOR AND DEMAND FADING IN THE TREATMENT OF ESCAPE-MAINTAINED DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1996Co-Authors: Cathleen C Piazza, Doug R. Moes, Wayne W. FisherAbstract:The escape-maintained destructive behavior of a boy with autism was reduced during instructional sequences with Differential Reinforcement of compliance (DRA), escape extinction without physical guidance, and demand fading. The procedure decreased destructive behaviors to near-zero levels and greatly increased compliance.
Donald E. Williams - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Treatment of a vocal tic by Differential Reinforcement.
Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry, 1995Co-Authors: Joel R. Wagaman, Raymond G. Miltenberger, Donald E. WilliamsAbstract:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Differential Reinforcement of the absence of a chronic vocal tic in a 9-year-old male. This procedure was used after problems in the application of a simplified habit reversal procedure were encountered, and when it became evident that a Reinforcement procedure was more acceptable to the patient. Once Differential Reinforcement was implemented, a substantial decrease (to near zero frequency) in coughing and throat clearing resulted. The reduction of coughing and throat clearing was seen within and outside the treatment session. Treatment effects were maintained after fading the Reinforcement and throughout posttreatment (50 weeks).