Free · 2026 · ABA behavior reduction for the RBT exam Differential reinforcement: DRA, DRI, DRO and DRL, with examples and a practice drill
Differential reinforcement is an ABA procedure that reinforces one behavior, or the absence of a behavior, while the problem behavior stops getting reinforced. It has two parts: reinforcement for what you want to see, and extinction for the behavior you want less of, so the problem behavior no longer pays off. There are four types. DRA (alternative behavior) reinforces a specific replacement behavior, such as raising a hand instead of calling out. DRI (incompatible behavior) reinforces a behavior that can't happen at the same time as the problem behavior, such as walking instead of dropping to the floor. DRO (other behavior) reinforces the problem behavior not happening for a set interval, such as a token for every 5 minutes with no spitting. DRL (low rates) reinforces a behavior that's fine in moderation, but only when it happens less often. Functional communication training (FCT) is a form of DRA that teaches a way to ask for the same reinforcer. Differential reinforcement is task D.3 on the 3rd edition RBT Test Content Outline. Below: the four compared with examples, one behavior run through all four, how to tell them apart, and a free drill of 16 questions with answers.
- DRADifferential reinforcement of alternative behaviorReinforce: a specific replacement behavior.
- DRIDifferential reinforcement of incompatible behaviorReinforce: a behavior that can't happen at the same time as the problem behavior.
- DRODifferential reinforcement of other behaviorReinforce: the problem behavior not happening for a set interval.
- DRLDifferential reinforcement of low ratesReinforce: the behavior itself, but only at a lower rate.
DRA vs DRI vs DRO vs DRL, compared
Every procedure withholds reinforcement for the problem behavior. What changes is what earns the reinforcer, and whether the goal is a replacement, zero, or just less.
| Procedure | What earns the reinforcer | Goal for the problem behavior | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRADifferential reinforcement of alternative behavior | A specific replacement behavior | Replace the problem behavior with a better one | The teacher calls on a student only when they raise a hand; calling out gets no attention. |
| DRIDifferential reinforcement of incompatible behavior | A behavior that can't happen at the same time as the problem behavior | Replace it with a behavior that physically rules it out | Praise for walking to the next activity; dropping to the floor gets no attention. |
| DRODifferential reinforcement of other behavior | The problem behavior not happening for a set interval | Zero: none of the problem behavior | A token at the end of every 5 minutes with no spitting. |
| DRLDifferential reinforcement of low rates | The behavior itself, but only at a lower rate | Fewer, not zero: the behavior is fine in moderation | Free time if a student asks "Is this right?" 5 or fewer times in a lesson. |
| FCTFunctional communication training (a form of DRA) | A way to ask for the same reinforcer the problem behavior got | Replace it with asking | Handing over a break card gets a 1-minute break; throwing work no longer ends the task. |
The reinforcer matters as much as the procedure. A replacement behavior works best when it gets the same thing the problem behavior got: a break if the behavior is escape-maintained, attention if it's attention-maintained. Not sure what a behavior gets? Our functions of behavior guide walks through the four functions with an ABC checker.
One behavior, four procedures
The clearest way to see the difference is to run the same behavior through all four. The behavior: leaving the seat during 20 minutes of independent work, about 10 times a period.
DRA
Praise and a point when the student raises a hand to ask for help or materials, instead of getting up to fetch them. Getting up without asking gets no attention.
The cue: A named replacement behavior. It could still happen alongside the problem: a student can raise a hand while standing.
DRI
Praise and a point while the student is sitting and working, several times a period.
The cue: The reinforced behavior rules the problem out: nobody can sit and be out of the seat at the same time.
DRO
A point at the end of every 4 minutes in which the student hasn't left the seat. If they get up, the 4 minutes start again.
The cue: The point is for the problem behavior not happening over time, whatever else the student did.
DRL
Some getting up is fine, to sharpen a pencil or get a book. Free time at the end if the student leaves the seat 3 or fewer times in the period.
The cue: The behavior is allowed, just less often. The goal is fewer, not zero.
DRI and DRO can look alike for a behavior like this one. On the exam, read what earns the reinforcer: a named behavior that rules the problem out (sitting) is DRI; the problem behavior not happening for a set time is DRO.
How to tell them apart: 4 questions
Ask these in order about any scenario. The first yes names the procedure.
- Does the reinforcer come on a timer, whatever the learner is doing?That's noncontingent reinforcement (NCR), an antecedent intervention (task D.2). It isn't differential reinforcement, because nothing the learner does earns it.
- Is the reinforcer for the problem behavior not happening, for a set time or at a set moment?That's DRO. No specific behavior is taught; the learner just has to go without the problem behavior.
- Is the reinforcer for the same behavior, just less often?That's DRL. The behavior is fine in moderation, and the goal is fewer, not zero.
- Is the reinforcer for one specific other behavior?If that behavior can't happen at the same time as the problem behavior, it's DRI. If it can, it's DRA. If it's a way to ask for the same thing the problem behavior got (a break, attention, an item), it's FCT, a form of DRA.
Name the procedure: 16 practice questions with answers
Scenarios like the ones on the RBT exam, plus the extinction and NCR traps. The reason shows after each answer.
Question 1 of 16 · 0 right so far
A learner screams to get out of hard tasks. The RBT teaches the learner to hand over a "break" card, gives a 1-minute break for each card, and keeps the task going when the learner screams.
Differential reinforcement on the RBT exam
On the 3rd edition RBT Test Content Outline, Behavior Reduction is 14 of the 75 scored questions. Differential reinforcement (DRO, DRA, DRI, DRL and FCT) is task D.3. Noncontingent reinforcement is task D.2, extinction D.4 and the extinction burst D.6, which is why questions often mix them. Expect short scenarios that ask which procedure a plan describes, or which one fits a behavior.
- DRA reinforces a named replacement behavior; DRO reinforces the problem behavior not happening. If no specific behavior is named, it's DRO.
- DRI is DRA with one extra condition: the two behaviors can't happen at the same time.
- DRL is for behaviors that are fine in moderation. Never for aggression or self-injury.
- Noncontingent reinforcement (on a timer, whatever the learner does) is an antecedent intervention, not differential reinforcement.
- The problem behavior goes on extinction, so expect an extinction burst at first.
- The replacement should get the same reinforcer as the problem behavior: a break for escape, attention for attention.
On the 2026 competency assessment
Task 14 of the RBT Initial Competency Assessment asks you to show one of an antecedent intervention, differential reinforcement (the packet names DRA and DRO) or extinction, with a client or in role-play. If you pick DRA, practice reinforcing the alternative exactly as the plan says and giving nothing for the problem behavior. Our RBT competency assessment guide has a role-play for each of the 19 tasks.
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Differential reinforcement FAQ
What is differential reinforcement in ABA?
Differential reinforcement is a behavior reduction procedure in ABA: you reinforce one behavior, or the problem behavior not happening, and stop reinforcing the problem behavior (extinction). The main types are DRA, DRI, DRO and DRL, and functional communication training (FCT) is a form of DRA.
What are the types of differential reinforcement?
DRA reinforces a specific alternative behavior. DRI reinforces a behavior that can't happen at the same time as the problem behavior. DRO reinforces the problem behavior not happening for an interval. DRL reinforces a lower rate of a behavior that's fine in moderation. DRH (high rates) reinforces a behavior only at or above a set rate and is used to increase behavior. The RBT outline (task D.3) names DRO, DRA, DRI, DRL and FCT.
What is the difference between DRA and DRO?
DRA names a specific replacement behavior and reinforces it, such as raising a hand instead of calling out. DRO doesn't name a behavior: it reinforces the problem behavior not happening for a set interval, such as a token for every 5 minutes with no hitting. If the plan names what the learner should do, it's DRA; if it only says what they shouldn't do, it's DRO.
What is the difference between DRA and DRI?
Both reinforce a specific behavior in place of the problem behavior. In DRI the reinforced behavior physically can't happen at the same time as the problem behavior (sitting vs being out of the seat); in DRA it can (raising a hand vs calling out). Every DRI is a kind of DRA.
What is DRL in ABA?
DRL (differential reinforcement of low rates) reinforces a behavior only when it happens less often: a set number or fewer per session, or with a minimum time between responses. It's for behaviors that are fine in moderation, such as asking questions or eating fast, never for dangerous behavior like aggression or self-injury.
Is functional communication training differential reinforcement?
Yes. FCT is a differential reinforcement procedure, usually described as a form of DRA: the learner is taught a communication response (a card, a sign, "break please") that gets the same reinforcer the problem behavior used to get, and the problem behavior is usually placed on extinction.
Is noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) the same as DRO?
No. NCR delivers the reinforcer on a timer, whatever the learner is doing, as an antecedent intervention. DRO delivers it only if the problem behavior didn't happen in the interval, so the learner has to go without the behavior to earn it.
Does differential reinforcement use extinction?
Usually, yes. The problem behavior stops getting the reinforcer that maintained it, while the alternative behavior (or the problem behavior not happening) gets reinforced. Expect an extinction burst, a short-lived increase in the problem behavior, at the start.
Sources, checked October 28, 2026: BACB: RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.) · BACB: RBT Initial Competency Assessment (2026) · Tiger, Hanley & Bruzek (2008): Functional communication training, a review and practical guide · Cooper, Heron & Heward: Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd ed., 2020). For exam study, not clinical guidance: your supervising BCBA chooses the procedure and the reinforcer, and RBTs carry out the plan as written.