differential reinforcement

[Guest guest]

Hi

can someone please explain what are differential reinforcements and what are the

types of differential reinforcements

shar

[Guest guest]

Reg Reynolds

Some consequences are likely to be more desirable, from the perspective of the

person receiving them, and hence likely to be more reinforcing, than other

consequences. Differential reinforcement refers to providing more desirable

consequences for more desirable behaviours, e.g., for closer approximations to,

or better performance of, the behaviour that you want the person to learn.

[Guest guest]

This brings up an interesting question for me. I would be curious what the

other BCBA's on this list think.

Differential Reinforcement is often looked at as being the schedule of

reinforcement for Other, Alternative or Incompatable Behaviors. But as Reg

stated here, Isn't it also an appropriate terminology for applying different

levels of reinforcement for different levels or qualities of response?

To me, we are talking about two different things here. One is DRO, DRI, or DRA

but the other is still Differential Reinforcement, isn't it?

What are your thoughts on this. Is the term Differential reinforcement

appropriate for both situations or is one a misuse of the term Differential

reinforcement.

Just curious what you folks thinks.

_________________________________

Schramm, MA, BCBA

Author of Educate Toward Recovery:

Turning the Tables on Autism

www.lulu.com/knospe-aba

www.knospe-aba.com

_________________________________

" There is no greater testament to character than

the selfless act designed to go unnoticed "

________________________________

From: Reg Reynolds <rmreynolds@...>

Sent: Mon, November 9, 2009 4:15:24 PM

Subject: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

Reg Reynolds

Some consequences are likely to be more desirable, from the perspective of the

person receiving them, and hence likely to be more reinforcing, than other

consequences. Differential reinforcement refers to providing more desirable

consequences for more desirable behaviours, e.g., for closer approximations to,

or better performance of, the behaviour that you want the person to learn.

[Guest guest]

Thanks J. for this definition

Differential Reinforcement: The occurrence of a reinforcement on a selected

occasion as or after one topography of a performance as opposed to another

topography, is called differential reinforcement. For example, one may

differentially reinforce performances which exert a great deal of force on the

lever as opposed to performances which operate it lightly.

Ferster, C.B., & Perrot, M.C. (1968). Behavior Principles

, BCABA

So to me that means that Differential reinforcement (stated alone) is exactly

what Reg described it as (reinforcing different qualities or levels of a

response with differing amounts of reinforcement. And, it is only to be

discussed in terms of reinforcing different behaviors other than the behavior of

interest if the words Alternative or Incompatible etc. are added to the term

that is being described.

Would everyone agree with that or did I miss something?

I have another one that has been looming in my mind lately. Hope you don't

mind. I like picking the brains on this list. I will send it in my next email.

_________________________________

Schramm, MA, BCBA

Author of Educate Toward Recovery:

Turning the Tables on Autism

www.lulu.com/knospe-aba

www.knospe-aba.com

_________________________________

" There is no greater testament to character than

the selfless act designed to go unnoticed "

________________________________

From: J R <luvsbt@...>

Schramm <knospeaba_robert@...>

Sent: Sat, November 14, 2009 4:31:28 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

Schramm wrote:

>Differential Reinforcement is often looked at as being the

>schedule of reinforcement for Other, Alternative or Incompatable

>Behaviors. But as Reg stated here, Isn't it also an appropriate

>terminology for applying different levels of reinforcement for

>different levels or qualities of response?

>

I had never thought of this but, , I think you are right. It

certain;y fits within the definition of 'differential'.

MS BCBA

[Guest guest]

Hi Tamara,

As I just Stated in my last email. (Sorry I sent that before reading this one).

What you are claiming is in direct contrast to the definition posted by .

Differential Reinforcement: The occurrence of a reinforcement on a selected

occasion as or after one topography of a performance as opposed to another

topography, is called differential reinforcement. For example, one may

differentially reinforce performances which exert a great deal of force on the

lever as opposed to performances which operate it lightly.

In fact, the example in that definition seems to state the exact opposite of

what you report Mark Dixon told you below. Does it not?

Is it possible Mark Dixon was incorrect, or is the example in this definition

just off, or am i completely losing my mind in Behavioral over-thought?

I do not think this is such a cut and dry question as some of you may have

thought it was when I first posted. :-)

_________________________________

Schramm, MA, BCBA

Author of Educate Toward Recovery:

Turning the Tables on Autism

www.lulu.com/knospe-aba

www.knospe-aba.com

_________________________________

" There is no greater testament to character than

the selfless act designed to go unnoticed "

________________________________

From: Tamara Kasper <tkasper@...>

Schramm <knospeaba_robert@...>;

Sent: Sat, November 14, 2009 3:34:01 AM

Subject: RE: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

This came up in one of my courses to become a behavior analyst

with Mark Dixon. He corrected me on something I was calling differential

reinforcement that was technically two schedules of reinforcement with one rich

and one lean. True differential reinforcement he said was when reinforcement

no longer followed behavior A, but did follow behavior B.

Tamara

S. Kasper MS/CCC-SLP, BCBA

Speech-Language Pathologist

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Schramm

Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 6:36 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

This brings up an interesting question for me.

I would be curious what the other BCBA's on this list think.

Differential Reinforcement is often looked at as being the schedule of

reinforcement for Other, Alternative or Incompatable Behaviors. But as Reg

stated here, Isn't it also an appropriate terminology for applying different

levels of reinforcement for different levels or qualities of response?

To me, we are talking about two different things here. One is DRO, DRI, or DRA

but the other is still Differential Reinforcement, isn't it?

What are your thoughts on this. Is the term Differential reinforcement

appropriate for both situations or is one a misuse of the term Differential

reinforcement.

Just curious what you folks thinks.

_________________________________

Schramm, MA, BCBA

Author of Educate Toward Recovery:

Turning the Tables on Autism

www.lulu.com/knospe-aba

www.knospe-aba.com

_________________________________

" There is no greater testament to character than

the selfless act designed to go unnoticed "

________________________________

From: Reg Reynolds <rmreynolds@...>

Sent: Mon, November 9, 2009 4:15:24 PM

Subject: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

Reg Reynolds

Some consequences are likely to be more desirable, from the perspective of the

person receiving them, and hence likely to be more reinforcing, than other

consequences. Differential reinforcement refers to providing more desirable

consequences for more desirable behaviours, e.g., for closer approximations to,

or better performance of, the behaviour that you want the person to learn.

[Guest guest]

Okay Good, I can totally understand that. (However, in the definition, I see no

mention of the use of extinction, only a mention of reinforcing on topography of

a behavior over another but I suppose you can assume that if you are reinforcing

only one topography than the other topography will be put on extinction).

Then the original question still remains, what would it be called if you are

giving differing amounts of reinforcement to differing levels of performance of

a single skill?

For example, the child says cuh, which he can already do, you only reinforce

lightly, the child says cuh, cuh, which is a better level of response, you

reinforce with a higher level or quality of reinforcement and if the child

actually throws the word cookie at you, you throw him a party to show that this

response level even more desired?

If this does not fall into the definition of Differential reinforcement, what

should it be called behaviorally?

_________________________________

Schramm, MA, BCBA

Author of Educate Toward Recovery:

Turning the Tables on Autism

www.lulu.com/knospe-aba

www.knospe-aba.com

_________________________________

" There is no greater testament to character than

the selfless act designed to go unnoticed "

________________________________

From: Lynette <lynette_r@...>

Schramm <knospeaba_robert@...>

Sent: Sun, November 15, 2009 7:33:08 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

I just had this in class. According to my textbook differential reinforcement

involves reinforcing one behavior while putting one or more other behaviors on

extinction. So you would reinforce heavy pressure on the lever and extinguish

other levels of exertion assuming you were looking to increase heavy pressure. I

would have to side with Tamara's definition, or figure I'm getting a bad

education!

[ ] Re:differential reinforcement

>

>Reg Reynolds

>

>Some consequences are likely to be more desirable, from the perspective of the

>person receiving them, and hence likely to be more reinforcing, than other

>consequences. Differential reinforcement refers to providing more desirable

>consequences for more desirable behaviours, e.g., for closer approximations to,

>or better performance of, the behaviour that you want the person to learn.

>

>

[Guest guest]

graduated reinforcement or progressive reinforcement

Aimee

Schramm wrote:

>

>

> Okay Good, I can totally understand that. (However, in the definition,

> I see no mention of the use of extinction, only a mention of

> reinforcing on topography of a behavior over another but I suppose you

> can assume that if you are reinforcing only one topography than the

> other topography will be put on extinction).

>

> Then the original question still remains, what would it be called if

> you are giving differing amounts of reinforcement to differing levels

> of performance of a single skill?

>

> For example, the child says cuh, which he can already do, you only

> reinforce lightly, the child says cuh, cuh, which is a better level of

> response, you reinforce with a higher level or quality of

> reinforcement and if the child actually throws the word cookie at you,

> you throw him a party to show that this response level even more desired?

>

> If this does not fall into the definition of Differential

> reinforcement, what should it be called behaviorally?

>

>

> _________________________________

> Schramm, MA, BCBA

> Author of Educate Toward Recovery:

> Turning the Tables on Autism

> www.lulu.com/knospe-aba

> www.knospe-aba.com

> _________________________________

>

> " There is no greater testament to character than

> the selfless act designed to go unnoticed "

>

> ________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Lynette and Dr. Schramm: This was also the example that was given to me as NOT

being differential reinforcement, but rather two concurrent schedules of

reinforcement with one rich and one lean. I think that conventionally the term

(Differential reinforcement) is often used incorrectly (me too!) Right after my

discussion with my professor, I kept saying “differential reinforcement—or

more technically, two schedules of reinforcement with one rich and one leanâ€,

but I think I man have slipped back into my old habits.

In regards to extinction-- I also feel that an attempt to use extinction in

which the child does contact momentary delay or avoidance (or contacts some

magnitude of the reinforcer that has previously followed the response) cannot be

confused with extinction. At our clinic we always say that we “attempt to use

extinction†when it is apparent that we cannot fully control whether or not

the student will contact the reinforcer (albeit in lesser magnitude or duration)

that previously followed the response.

In regard to extinction, it brings up some interesting thoughts too. Let’s

say you are using a DRO interval for a child who engages in behavior maintained

by automatic reinforcement. The child will receive strawberries or praise for 5

minutes without the Behavior and if he exhibits the behavior, the interval

restarts. If the behavior is not blocked (or sensory blocking is not in place)

you are not using extinction. So, is this really NOT a DRO procedure? Is this

really concurrent schedules of reinforcement with different reinforcers—ah and

then we are thinking of the matching law? Competing reinforcers rather than

DRO? Is it still DRO because the strawberries and praise do not follow

intervals with the target behavior even though the reinforcer that maintains the

problem behavior is not strawberries and praise?

Tam

Tamara S. Kasper MS/CCC-SLP, BCBA

Speech-Language Pathologist

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

megan deleon

Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 3:34 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

,That is an interesting point. It is so hard to explain the concept during

parent training as well. I think of the general definition of differential

reinforcement as: when one member of a response class is reinforced and other

members are not. So this would apply to DRL, DRH, DRO, DRI, DRA. I think of

Differential Reinforcement as a behavioral term/procedure.

Then there is the process of differentially reinforcing behavior. I think of

differentially reinforcing a behavior as a way of providing reinforcement and

explaining to people to be more excited and provide more reinforcement when the

child does the best response and being less excited and providing less

reinforcement when the child does not do his best response.

So differential reinforcement is a procedure used to reinforce one member of a

response class and not others and reinforcement can be provided differentially

based on responding.

I don't know if that is a good explanation but that is how I think about it.

Also, I just wanted to tell you , I love your website! It is very helpful

and informative.

DeLeon, M.S., BCBANavigation Behavioral Consulting " Navigating the world of

behavior, changing the course of people's

lives. " www.navigationbehavioralconsulting.comblog.navigationbehavioralconsulting\

..com

From: Schramm <knospeaba_robert@...

<mailto:knospeaba_robert%40> >

Subject: Re: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

<mailto: %40>

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 7:36 AM

This brings up an interesting question for me. I would be curious what the other

BCBA's on this list think.

Differential Reinforcement is often looked at as being the schedule of

reinforcement for Other, Alternative or Incompatable Behaviors. But as Reg

stated here, Isn't it also an appropriate terminology for applying different

levels of reinforcement for different levels or qualities of response?

To me, we are talking about two different things here. One is DRO, DRI, or DRA

but the other is still Differential Reinforcement, isn't it?

What are your thoughts on this. Is the term Differential reinforcement

appropriate for both situations or is one a misuse of the term Differential

reinforcement.

Just curious what you folks thinks.

____________ _________ _________ ___

Schramm, MA, BCBA

Author of Educate Toward Recovery:

Turning the Tables on Autism

www.lulu.com/ knospe-aba

www.knospe-aba. com

____________ _________ _________ ___

" There is no greater testament to character than

the selfless act designed to go unnoticed "

____________ _________ _________ __

From: Reg Reynolds <rmreynoldscogeco (DOT) ca>

@groups .com

Sent: Mon, November 9, 2009 4:15:24 PM

Subject: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

Reg Reynolds

Some consequences are likely to be more desirable, from the perspective of the

person receiving them, and hence likely to be more reinforcing, than other

consequences. Differential reinforcement refers to providing more desirable

consequences for more desirable behaviours, e.g., for closer approximations to,

or better performance of, the behaviour that you want the person to learn.

[Guest guest]

Tamara,

In regards to your question at the end about DR0. It is my understanding that it

is not a requirement to use extinction when using DR0. You only reinforce one

member of the response class (so with strawberries from your example) but not

other members. That is all that is requred to have a DR0. You can pair DRO with

extinction by blocking the sensory consequences.

Have a great day -

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

[ ] Re:differential reinforcement

Reg Reynolds

Some consequences are likely to be more desirable, from the perspective of the

person receiving them, and hence likely to be more reinforcing, than other

consequences. Differential reinforcement refers to providing more desirable

consequences for more desirable behaviours, e.g., for closer approximations to,

or better performance of, the behaviour that you want the person to learn.

[Guest guest]

As for what to call it, I just call it differentially reinforcing the behavior.

I am horrible with lableing parts of language but I guess I am talking about the

difference between differentially and differential. Differentially means varying

levels of reinforcement whereas differential means reinforcing one response

class and not others.

I could be totally wrong but that is how I think of it. Have a good day -

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

[ ] Re:differential reinforcement

>

>Reg Reynolds

>

>Some consequences are likely to be more desirable, from the perspective of the

>person receiving them, and hence likely to be more reinforcing, than other

>consequences. Differential reinforcement refers to providing more desirable

>consequences for more desirable behaviours, e.g., for closer approximations to,

>or better performance of, the behaviour that you want the person to learn.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tamara,

No Dr. here. Just MA at this point. Although I am sure my mother thanks you

for making me a doctor :-)

Again, I do not know the exact answers to these issues, which makes it very

difficult for me to talk about some procedures without error.

Specifically, I have said in the past that we normally do not use escape

extinction due to the fact that we do not block escape or positively punish

escape behavior with consistent restating of the SD. But instead we use

negative punishment and put the child in a period of " general extinction " for as

long as it takes for the child to return to the skill. However, I am not sure

this is the correct way to state it. And to suggest that you can reduce escape

behavior without using escape extinction is getting me some undesired attention.

Is it possible that what we are doing is a form of escape extinction as well

(because the demand remains in place before any form of reinforcement will be

allowed)? This is the question I have not been able to find an answer for.

What I have been recently told is that the way in which the behavior reacts will

determine whether it is extinction or punishment. With Extinction having a

different curve of reduction than punishment (which would be a much sharper

reduction). The reduction we see indicates Extinction, although the question

still remains, should it be called " escape extinction " as we are attempting to

extinguish escape but the blocking of escape never takes place. Only a period

of reinforcement blocking is engaged in until the child emits the escaped

behavior?

To me there is very little difference in what it does to the behavior but a big

difference in the difficulty of how we have to engage with the child.

Again, i wish I had speed dial to the all knowing guru to help me with this

answer.

_________________________________

Schramm, MA, BCBA

Author of Educate Toward Recovery:

Turning the Tables on Autism

www.lulu.com/knospe-aba

www.knospe-aba.com

_________________________________

" There is no greater testament to character than

the selfless act designed to go unnoticed "

________________________________

From: Tamara Kasper <tkasper@...>

megan deleon <deleonmegan@...>;

Sent: Mon, November 16, 2009 1:16:14 PM

Subject: RE: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

Lynette and Dr. Schramm: This was also the example that was given to me as NOT

being differential reinforcement, but rather two concurrent schedules of

reinforcement with one rich and one lean. I think that conventionally the term

(Differential reinforcement) is often used incorrectly (me too!) Right after my

discussion with my professor, I kept saying “differential reinforcement—or

more technically, two schedules of reinforcement with one rich and one leanâ€,

but I think I man have slipped back into my old habits.

In regards to extinction-- I also feel that an attempt to use extinction in

which the child does contact momentary delay or avoidance (or contacts some

magnitude of the reinforcer that has previously followed the response) cannot be

confused with extinction. At our clinic we always say that we “attempt to use

extinction†when it is apparent that we cannot fully control whether or not

the student will contact the reinforcer (albeit in lesser magnitude or duration)

that previously followed the response.

In regard to extinction, it brings up some interesting thoughts too. Let’s

say you are using a DRO interval for a child who engages in behavior maintained

by automatic reinforcement. The child will receive strawberries or praise for 5

minutes without the Behavior and if he exhibits the behavior, the interval

restarts. If the behavior is not blocked (or sensory blocking is not in place)

you are not using extinction. So, is this really NOT a DRO procedure? Is this

really concurrent schedules of reinforcement with different reinforcers—ah and

then we are thinking of the matching law? Competing reinforcers rather than

DRO? Is it still DRO because the strawberries and praise do not follow

intervals with the target behavior even though the reinforcer that maintains the

problem behavior is not strawberries and praise?

Tam

Tamara S. Kasper MS/CCC-SLP, BCBA

Speech-Language Pathologist

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

From: @groups .com [mailto: @groups .com] On Behalf Of

megan deleon

Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 3:34 PM

@groups .com

Subject: Re: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

,That is an interesting point. It is so hard to explain the concept during

parent training as well. I think of the general definition of differential

reinforcement as: when one member of a response class is reinforced and other

members are not. So this would apply to DRL, DRH, DRO, DRI, DRA. I think of

Differential Reinforcement as a behavioral term/procedure.

Then there is the process of differentially reinforcing behavior. I think of

differentially reinforcing a behavior as a way of providing reinforcement and

explaining to people to be more excited and provide more reinforcement when the

child does the best response and being less excited and providing less

reinforcement when the child does not do his best response.

So differential reinforcement is a procedure used to reinforce one member of a

response class and not others and reinforcement can be provided differentially

based on responding.

I don't know if that is a good explanation but that is how I think about it.

Also, I just wanted to tell you , I love your website! It is very helpful

and informative.

DeLeon, M.S., BCBANavigation Behavioral Consulting " Navigati ng the world

of behavior, changing the course of people's lives. " www.navigati

onbehavioralcons ulting.comblog. navigationbehavi oralconsulting. com

From: Schramm <knospeaba_robert <mailto:knospeaba_

robert%40. com> >

Subject: Re: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

@groups .com <mailto:DTT- NET%40group s.com>

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 7:36 AM

This brings up an interesting question for me. I would be curious what the other

BCBA's on this list think.

Differential Reinforcement is often looked at as being the schedule of

reinforcement for Other, Alternative or Incompatable Behaviors. But as Reg

stated here, Isn't it also an appropriate terminology for applying different

levels of reinforcement for different levels or qualities of response?

To me, we are talking about two different things here. One is DRO, DRI, or DRA

but the other is still Differential Reinforcement, isn't it?

What are your thoughts on this. Is the term Differential reinforcement

appropriate for both situations or is one a misuse of the term Differential

reinforcement.

Just curious what you folks thinks.

____________ _________ _________ ___

Schramm, MA, BCBA

Author of Educate Toward Recovery:

Turning the Tables on Autism

www.lulu.com/ knospe-aba

www.knospe-aba. com

____________ _________ _________ ___

" There is no greater testament to character than

the selfless act designed to go unnoticed "

____________ _________ _________ __

From: Reg Reynolds <rmreynolds@ cogeco. ca>

@groups .com

Sent: Mon, November 9, 2009 4:15:24 PM

Subject: [ ] Re:differential reinforcement

Reg Reynolds

Some consequences are likely to be more desirable, from the perspective of the

person receiving them, and hence likely to be more reinforcing, than other

consequences. Differential reinforcement refers to providing more desirable

consequences for more desirable behaviours, e.g., for closer approximations to,

or better performance of, the behaviour that you want the person to learn.

[Guest guest]

,

Reading your last post made me think, that the most adequate description of this

procedure would be time out from reinforcement because you are withholding all

possible sources of reinforcement until you gain compliance. I always confuse

the terminology with time out because I don't use it very often but. I really

think this might be the best description -

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

[ ] Re:differential reinforcement

Reg Reynolds

Some consequences are likely to be more desirable, from the perspective of the

person receiving them, and hence likely to be more reinforcing, than other

consequences. Differential reinforcement refers to providing more desirable

consequences for more desirable behaviours, e.g., for closer approximations to,

or better performance of, the behaviour that you want the person to learn.