Which differential reinforcement procedure reinforces a behavior that is incompatible with the target 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: (D)

Reinforcing a behavior that cannot happen at the same time as the target behavior is what this item is about. This approach, known as differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors, strengthens a substitute action that literally cannot occur alongside the undesired behavior. By delivering reinforcement for that incompatible behavior, the target behavior is less likely to occur because the two actions cannot happen together. For example, if yelling is the target, reinforcing a quiet voice or hands-in-l laps behavior—something that cannot happen at the same time as yelling—helps reduce the yelling over time.

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behaviors would reward a different behavior that serves the same function as the target, but it doesn't require the substitute to be incompatible with the target. Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors reinforces any behavior other than the target during intervals, without emphasizing incompatibility. In short, the explicit focus on a behavior that cannot co-occur with the target makes this approach the best fit.