Definition
Differential reinforcement of other behaviors (DRO) is a reinforcement procedure in which reinforcement is delivered for any response other than a specific target behavior. This procedure results in a decrease in that specific target behavior because that behavior is never followed by reinforcement; thus, it weakens in future rate. For example, if a child with autism displays self-stimulatory behavior in the form of waving both hands in front of his face, a DRO procedure would be to provide a positive reinforcement for a 10-s period during which his hands were not waving in front of his face. Other names for this procedure include differential reinforcement of zero occurrences or omission training.
Historical Background
When considering interventions for undesirable behaviors, interventionists initially found punishment procedures to be effective. Although such procedures as overcorrection, time-out, and response cost do indeed reduce unwanted behavior, there are often...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References and Readings
Conyers, C., Miltenberger, R., Maki, A., Barenz, R., Jurgens, M., Sailer, A., et al. (2004). A comparison of response cost and differential reinforcement of other behavior to reduce disruptive behavior in a preschool classroom. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 37, 411–415.
Conyers, C., Miltenberger, R., Romaniuk, C., Kopp, B., & Himle, M. (2003). Evaluation of DRO schedules to reduce disruptive behavior in a preschool classroom. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 25(3), 1–6.
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Cowdery, G., Iwata, B., & Pace, G. (1990). Effects and side effects of DRO as treatment for self-injurious behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 23(4), 497–506.
Daddario, R., Anhalt, K., & Barton, L. (2007). Differential reinforcement of other behavior applied classwide in a child care setting. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 3(3), 342–348.
Hegel, M. T., & Ferguson, R. J. (2000). Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) to reduce aggressive behavior following traumatic brain injury. Behavior Modification, 24(1), 94–101.
Homer, A. L., & Peterson, L. (1980). Differential reinforcement of other behavior: A preferred response elimination procedure. Behavior Therapy, 11, 449–471.
Kodak, T., Miltennberger, R. G., & Romaniuk, C. (2003). The effects of differential negative reinforcement of other behavior and noncontingent escape on compliance. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 379–382.
Mayer, G. R., Sulzer-Azaroff, B., & Wallace, M. (2012). Behavior analysis for lasting change (2nd ed.). Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY: Sloan Publishing.
Miltenberger, R. G. (2001). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this entry
Cite this entry
Zane, T., Davis, C. (2013). Differential Reinforcement Procedures of Other Behavior (DRO). In: Volkmar, F.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1903
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1903
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1697-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1698-3
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science