In establishing stimulus control, what does it mean to use differential reinforcement?

In the context of establishing stimulus control, differential reinforcement refers to the process of reinforcing specific, desired behaviors while withholding reinforcement for other behaviors. This approach helps to shape and strengthen particular behaviors that are appropriate or advantageous, while minimizing or eliminating behaviors that are not desired.

For example, if a child is being taught to raise their hand before speaking in class, the teacher would reinforce the child when they raise their hand (the desired behavior) but would not provide reinforcement when they speak out of turn (the undesired behavior). Over time, this selective reinforcement encourages the child to consistently perform the desired behavior in the appropriate context.

This method is effective because it not only highlights which behaviors are acceptable but also teaches the individual to differentiate between behaviors based on the context, thus establishing clear stimulus control. By reinforcing only specific behaviors, practitioners can shape more appropriate responses and enhance communication skills.