What technique would a behavior analyst use to teach a student to contact their mother appropriately?

What technique would a behavior analyst use to teach a student to contact their mother appropriately?

• A. Behavioral chaining
• B. Positive reinforcement
• C. Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behaviors (DRI)
• D. Modeling

Answer: (C)

The technique of Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behaviors (DRI) is particularly effective in teaching a student to engage in a behavior that competes with an undesired behavior. In the context of contacting their mother appropriately, DRI would involve reinforcing the student for engaging in behaviors that are incompatible with behaviors that are less appropriate for contacting their mother, such as yelling or interrupting. For instance, if the student typically contacts their mother by calling out loudly or being disruptive, DRI would encourage behaviors like raising a hand or using a quiet tone to signal for their mother’s attention. By providing reinforcement for these appropriate, incompatible behaviors, the student learns to adopt more acceptable methods of communication. This approach is particularly advantageous because it not only increases the appropriate behavior but also decreases or eliminates the inappropriate behavior by making it impossible to engage in both simultaneously. The focus on reinforcing incompatible behaviors creates a positive learning environment that promotes suitable interactions and communication skills. Other techniques might focus on different aspects of behavior change and learning, but DRI is specifically suited for situations where teaching one behavior serves to diminish the occurrence of another undesirable behavior.

The technique of Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behaviors (DRI) is particularly effective in teaching a student to engage in a behavior that competes with an undesired behavior. In the context of contacting their mother appropriately, DRI would involve reinforcing the student for engaging in behaviors that are incompatible with behaviors that are less appropriate for contacting their mother, such as yelling or interrupting.

For instance, if the student typically contacts their mother by calling out loudly or being disruptive, DRI would encourage behaviors like raising a hand or using a quiet tone to signal for their mother’s attention. By providing reinforcement for these appropriate, incompatible behaviors, the student learns to adopt more acceptable methods of communication.

This approach is particularly advantageous because it not only increases the appropriate behavior but also decreases or eliminates the inappropriate behavior by making it impossible to engage in both simultaneously. The focus on reinforcing incompatible behaviors creates a positive learning environment that promotes suitable interactions and communication skills.

Other techniques might focus on different aspects of behavior change and learning, but DRI is specifically suited for situations where teaching one behavior serves to diminish the occurrence of another undesirable behavior.