In what situation would DRA be implemented?

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative behavior (DRA) is a behavioral intervention strategy utilized to encourage desirable behaviors by reinforcing an alternative behavior that serves the same purpose as the undesired behavior. In this context, the specific situation where DRA would be implemented is when a child throws a tantrum to get a snack.

When the child engages in tantrums, this behavior is aimed at obtaining a snack, which serves as a reinforcing reward. By implementing DRA, the focus would shift to teaching the child a more appropriate or acceptable way to request a snack, such as using words or signs. By reinforcing this alternative behavior, the child learns that they can achieve the same goal (getting the snack) without resorting to tantrums, leading to a reduction of the undesired behavior over time.

The other situations involve different contexts that may require distinct strategies. For instance, trying to escape homework would likely involve other behavioral interventions focused on improving task engagement or motivation rather than teaching an alternative behavior to gain a snack. Positive social interactions may emphasize building social skills rather than addressing a specific undesired behavior. Lastly, if a child screams to gain attention, the focus would often be on teaching different means of seeking attention rather than just an alternative behavior to get a snack