Finding Examples of Differential Reinforcement in Behavior Analytic Journals

While extinction might be a common term used historically, modern behavior analysis focuses on reinforcement strategies for desirable behaviors. A more current approach is to differentially reinforce alternative behaviors that are incompatible with the undesired behavior.

Here’s how you can find examples of this concept in behavior analytic journals:

Search Strategies:

• Journal Selection: The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) is an excellent resource, but you can also explore other behavior analysis journals like the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB) or Behavior Analysis: An International Journal (BAA).
• Keywords: Instead of “extinction,” use terms like “differential reinforcement,” “alternative behavior,” or “replacement behavior.”

Example Search:

• JABA Search:Try searching for “(differential reinforcement OR replacement behavior) AND (undesirable behavior)” on the JABA website.

Expected Results:

You’ll likely find articles describing interventions where a previously reinforced behavior is no longer reinforced (similar to extinction), but a new, desirable behavior is reinforced instead. This differential reinforcement strengthens the desired behavior and reduces the undesired behavior.

Example Study:

For instance, a study might investigate how to reduce a child’s tantrums in a grocery store. Instead of focusing on punishing the tantrums (extinction), the researchers might introduce a new behavior, like asking politely for desired items. When the child asks politely, they receive positive reinforcement (praise, attention). Over time, the tantrums decrease (differential reinforcement) as the child learns that asking politely leads to the desired outcome.

Finding the Right Article:

Once you find relevant articles, skim the abstracts to identify studies that focus on manipulating consequences (reinforcement) to achieve a specific behavioral outcome.

Conclusion:

By using the suggested search strategies and focusing on differential reinforcement rather than extinction, you should be able to locate relevant examples in behavior analytic journals.