ABSTRACT
Certain problematic behaviour can, in some ways, be thought of as like any other human 'bad habit' - effective in the short term, but troublesome in the long term. The person will have learned through experience that the use of behaviour which others may consider to be problematic is more likely to secure for him the things that he wants than is behaviour which is socially appropriate. In any case, the outcome for certain problematic behaviour may be better than that achieved by other more socially acceptable behaviour. Differential reinforcement (DRO) of lower rates of behaviour involves setting a maximum target frequency for the problematic behaviour. If a DRO programme is being planned for an individual who shows a number of problematic behaviours then the decision is less simple: all, some or only one can be included in the criterion for reinforcement. Programmes of DRO are based upon the delivery of reinforcement for the absence/reduction of problematic behaviour.
