Differential reinforcement is an ABA strategy that builds better behavior by reinforcing the right responses and withholding reinforcement for unwanted ones. Rather than punishing problem behavior directly, it lets that behavior fade by removing the attention or reward that was keeping it going. There are four main types: DRI, DRA, DRO, and DRL, each suited to different situations.
If you’ve spent any time in an ABA classroom or read through a behavior intervention plan, you’ve almost certainly come across the term differential reinforcement. It sounds technical, but the idea behind it is actually pretty intuitive once you see it in practice.
Here’s the core concept: behavior that gets reinforced tends to stick around. Behavior that doesn’t get reinforced tends to fade. Differential reinforcement takes that principle and puts it to work in a precise, intentional way.
What Is Differential Reinforcement?
Differential reinforcement is a behavior intervention strategy that does two things at once. It reinforces a target behavior (the one you want to see more of) while withholding reinforcement from a competing behavior (the one you want to see less of).
That second part is what makes it “differential.” You’re not treating all behaviors the same. You’re deliberately applying reinforcement selectively based on what the person does.
In practice, withholding reinforcement means removing the reinforcer that’s maintaining the unwanted behavior: whether that’s attention, access to items, or escape from a task. When a behavior is attention-maintained, for example, this may involve ignoring it entirely. Whatever form it takes, the goal is to stop the behavior from paying off. It’s worth noting that behavior often escalates before improving when reinforcement is first withheld. That escalation is called an extinction burst, and staying consistent through it is what makes the approach work.
What this approach doesn’t involve is punishment. The goal isn’t to make the unwanted behavior feel bad. It’s to make the desired behavior feel worth repeating.
The Four Types of Differential Reinforcement
There isn’t just one version of differential reinforcement. ABA practitioners use four distinct types, and choosing the right one depends on the specific behavior and the goal you’re trying to achieve.
| Type | Full Name | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRI | Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior | Reinforce a behavior that physically can’t happen at the same time as the problem behavior | Behaviors tied to a specific physical action (out-of-seat, hitting) |
| DRA | Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior | Reinforce an appropriate alternative that serves the same function as the problem behavior | Behaviors driven by a clear communicative function (demanding, attention-seeking) |
| DRO | Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior | Reinforce the absence of the problem behavior during a set time interval | Reducing the frequency of a specific behavior across a time window |
| DRL | Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates | Reinforce the behavior only when it occurs at or below a set frequency | Behaviors that are acceptable in small amounts but become a problem when excessive |
Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
DRI targets behaviors that can’t occur simultaneously. If the problem behavior is leaving a seat without permission, the incompatible behavior is staying seated. A student can’t be both in their seat and out of their seat simultaneously.
How it looks in practice: a teacher ignores the student each time the student gets up and leaves their seat. But every time the student remains seated during independent work, the teacher gives specific praise or a small reward. Over time, staying seated becomes the behavior that pays off.
DRI works well when there’s a clear physical behavior you’re trying to reduce and an equally clear opposite behavior you can reinforce.
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
DRA is similar to DRI, but the alternative behavior doesn’t have to be physically incompatible. It just needs to be a better way to achieve the same result.
A good example: a child who grabs food from the table without asking. Each time they grab, the parents don’t respond. But the moment the child politely asks, a parent turns, acknowledges, and meets the request. The function of the behavior (getting food) stays the same. The method changes.
DRA is especially useful when a problem behavior is serving a communicative purpose. Instead of eliminating the need, you’re teaching a more appropriate way to meet it.
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)
DRO shifts the focus from a specific replacement behavior to the absence of the problem behavior over time. Reinforcement is delivered when the target behavior does not occur during a specified time interval.
Say a child repeatedly leaves the table during dinner. A parent sets a 10-minute timer. If the child stays at the table for the full 10 minutes, they earn extra television time after dinner. You’re not rewarding a specific action. You’re rewarding restraint within a defined window.
DRO is a flexible option when you don’t have a specific replacement behavior in mind, and you want the problem behavior to occur less often.
Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates (DRL)
DRL takes a different angle. Some behaviors aren’t inherently inappropriate. The problem is how often they happen. DRL reinforces the behavior when it stays at or below an acceptable frequency.
Consider a child who washes their hands repeatedly before meals. Handwashing before eating is good. Doing it four or five times isn’t necessary. A teacher using DRL would reward the child for washing once, not for repeating the behavior. Over time, the excessive frequency decreases without eliminating the behavior.
DRL is the right tool when the goal is moderation rather than elimination.
Differential Reinforcement Beyond the Classroom
Most people first learn about differential reinforcement in the context of working with children with ASD. But the strategy isn’t limited to that setting.
Consider a workplace example. A manager wants all questions routed through email, not voicemail. An employee leaves a voicemail about a scheduling issue. The manager doesn’t respond. The next week, the employee sends an email with the same type of question. The manager responds promptly. That’s DRA in a professional setting.
The underlying principle applies anywhere behavior is being shaped: sports coaching, parenting, classroom management, and organizational behavior. ABA techniques show up in more places than most people realize. If you’re curious about where ABA therapy extends beyond autism treatment, our guide to ABA therapy for non-autistic populations is worth a read.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between DRI and DRA?
DRI requires that the replacement behavior be physically incompatible with the problem behavior. They can’t happen at the same time. DRA is broader: the alternative behavior needs to be more appropriate, not physically impossible, than the problem behavior. In both cases, you’re reinforcing something positive while withholding reinforcement from the unwanted behavior.
Does differential reinforcement use punishment?
No. Differential reinforcement doesn’t involve punishing problem behavior. It works entirely through reinforcement and the strategic withholding of it. Removing the reinforcer that’s been sustaining a behavior is different from actively applying a punishing consequence.
What happens when you first start using differential reinforcement?
It’s common to see unwanted behavior worsen before it improves. This is called an extinction burst. When reinforcement is suddenly withheld, the person may increase the intensity or frequency of the behavior, trying to get the response they’re used to. Consistency is what gets you through it. If you reinforce during a burst, you’ve taught the person to escalate to get what they want.
How is differential reinforcement used alongside other ABA techniques?
Differential reinforcement is almost always part of a broader behavior intervention plan. It works well alongside prompting, extinction, and functional communication training. A behavior analyst will typically conduct a functional behavior assessment first to understand why the problem behavior is occurring, then design a reinforcement strategy that fits the function of that behavior.
Key Takeaways
- It’s not about punishment: Differential reinforcement shapes behavior by reinforcing what you want and withholding reinforcement from what you don’t. The unwanted behavior fades because it no longer pays off.
- Four types, four use cases: DRI and DRA work best when you have a clear replacement behavior in mind. DRO works when you want a behavior to occur less often. DRL is for behaviors that are acceptable in small amounts but become a problem when excessive.
- Context matters: You’ll encounter differential reinforcement throughout ABA practice, from early intervention with children with ASD to organizational and educational settings. Understanding how it works is foundational, whether you’re studying for the BCBA exam, working as an RBT, or a parent trying to understand your child’s treatment plan. If you’re on the path to becoming a behavior analyst, take a look at our guide to explore top ABA master’s programs and find a program that fits your goals.
- It fits into a bigger picture: Differential reinforcement rarely works in isolation. For a deeper look at the reinforcement principles it builds on, our article on reinforcement in ABA covers the broader framework.
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