What is the definition of "differential reinforcement"?

Differential reinforcement refers to the procedural strategy of reinforcing a specific desired behavior while deliberately withholding reinforcement for undesired behaviors. This approach effectively increases the likelihood of the desired behavior occurring in the future by providing positive reinforcement when that behavior is displayed, while at the same time reducing the occurrence of undesired behaviors by not providing reinforcement.

This method allows individuals to learn the distinction between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors within a given context. Successfully implementing differential reinforcement involves careful selection of behaviors to reinforce and an understanding of the individual’s reinforcers. As a result, this technique is widely utilized in behavioral interventions, particularly within the fields of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and education.

In contrast, other choices do not accurately describe differential reinforcement. For instance, simply increasing overall reinforcement does not focus on the differentiation between behaviors; it lacks the intentional aspect of reinforcing specific behaviors. Similarly, reinforcing all behaviors disregards the selective nature that is central to differential reinforcement. Lastly, using punishments to reduce unwanted behaviors goes against the core principles of differential reinforcement, which emphasizes positive reinforcement rather than punishment.