• Watch the Unit 8 Lecture. (click here for transcripts)
• Read the following scenario.

You have been contacted by a 3rd grade teacher from Dry Creek Elementary. He asks your help in getting control of the behavior of one of his students. He has tried the negative punishment procedure “timeout,” but it is not controlling the unwanted behavior. You ask him if he can describe what the behavior looks like – basically, the operational definition. Mr. Cochran says that every time he hands out a spelling or math worksheet, Danny tears the worksheets in two pieces, stands beside his desk, and looks directly at the teacher and smiles. Mr. Cochran says he feels like he has no control of this situation at all.

For this week’s discussion post, you will design a Differential Reinforcement procedure to address Danny’s behavior. You may select from Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA); Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO); Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates of Responding (DRL); or Differential Reinforcement of High Rates of Responding (DRH). In addition to describing your Differential Reinforcement (DR) procedure for Danny’s case, include the following:

• Identify the probable function of the target behavior.
• Identify the reinforcer you will use in this case and provide your rationale for its selection.
• Discuss the reasons you have for using a DR approach instead of a simple reinforcement approach.

Respond to a minimum of two peers based upon the following:

• Critique two classmates’ Differential Reinforcement procedures regarding the appropriateness of the approach and discuss your rationale for your opinion.
• Design a Differential Reinforcement procedure for the same scenario using an approach that is different from your classmate’s and from the one you designed in your own primary post.

Reading and Resources

Read the following:

Chapter 25 in Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd ed.): “Differential Reinforcement”

Chapter 25 introduces one of the key strategies derived from the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), i.e., Differential Reinforcement (DR). Readers will learn the many different approaches DR can take to extinguish unwanted behavior, while teaching and reinforcing an appropriate, alternative behavior. Detailed explanations of when, and how, to implement each type of DR is provided.

Chapter 2 in How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst: Understanding the Science that Can Change Your Life: “Applications”

Chapter 2 deals with “real life” applications of behavior analysis in the world. A variety of case scenarios are presented to illustrate how behavior analysts assess and address behavior. The use of behavior analysis to improve the lives of those diagnosed with autism is discussed and other areas of applied behavior analysis application are presented.

TEXTBOOKS

Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., Heward, W. L. (2019). Applied Behavior Analysis, Third Edition