Graduation Date

Fall 12-19-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Programs

Applied Behavior Analysis

First Advisor

Dr. Catalina Rey

Abstract

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) is an effective and widely used procedure for reducing challenging behavior, yet relapse following DRO has received limited empirical attention. Prior research has shown that behavior reduced via DRO is susceptible to renewal and resurgence but is generally resistant to reinstatement and rapid reacquisition. However, the majority of this research has been conducted using a single reinforcer. Several lines of evidence suggest that reinforcers acquire discriminative properties. Consistent with this role, DRO reinforcers may function as discriminative stimuli for response inhibition which could explain why behavior reduced via DRO is resistant to reinstatement and reacquisition. In applied settings, however, DRO is often implemented with arbitrary reinforcers, different from the functional reinforcer maintaining the response in baseline. This translational study compared the effects of using a functional reinforcer versus an arbitrary reinforcer during DRO on behavior reduction efficiency, reinstatement, and reacquisition. Our results found that the type of reinforcer, whether functional or arbitrary, did not significantly affect DRO efficiency, the magnitude of reinstatement, and the speed of reacquisition.

Comments

2025 Copyright, the authors

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