Which differential reinforcement procedure provides the functional reinforcer contingent on any behavior other than the target negative behavior while withholding the reinforcer following instances of the negative behavior?

• A. Differential Reinforcement Procedures
• B. Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behaviors (DRA)
• C. Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors (DRO)
• D. Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behaviors (DRI)

Answer: (C)

The concept here is differential reinforcement of other behaviors. In this approach, you reinforce the absence of the target negative behavior for a defined period and, crucially, you do not provide reinforcement if the target behavior occurs during that period. Any behavior other than the target can earn the reinforcer once the interval ends, which shifts focus away from the undesired behavior and toward reinforcing any alternative behavior that happens during the interval.

This differs from reinforcing a specific alternative behavior (you’re not targeting a particular replacement, just anything else) and from reinforcing a behavior that is simply incompatible with the target. It also differs from simply using a broad differential reinforcement category, which doesn’t specify the precise rule about abstaining reinforcement when the problem behavior happens.

So the option described matches Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors: reinforcement for any behavior other than the target negative behavior, with no reinforcement when the target occurs.