Alex is 6 years old and displays tantrum whenever he wants to attract his mom attention. Applying DRA, DRI, and DRO, explain briefly how the problem behavior can be reduced.
Addressing Tantrums in a Six-Year-Old Using DRA, DRI, and DRO
Tantrums in children are a common behavioral issue, particularly when they are used to attract attention. For a six-year-old like Alex, who exhibits tantrums to get his mother’s attention, implementing behavioral interventions such as Differential Reinforcement of Alternative behavior (DRA), Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behavior (DRI), and Differential Reinforcement of Other behavior (DRO) can be effective in reducing this problematic behavior. Each of these strategies involves reinforcing desired behaviors while reducing reinforcement for undesired ones, thus shaping Alex’s behavior over time.
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
DRA involves reinforcing a behavior that serves as a suitable alternative to the problematic behavior. In Alex’s case, this means identifying and reinforcing an appropriate way for him to attract his mother’s attention without resorting to tantrums. For instance, Alex can be taught to use words or a specific gesture to signal that he needs his mother’s attention.
- Implementation of DRA:
- Identify the Alternative Behavior: Teach Alex to say “Mom, can I talk to you?” instead of throwing a tantrum.
- Reinforcement: Provide immediate and positive reinforcement (e.g., verbal praise, a hug, or a small reward) when Alex uses the appropriate behavior to get attention.
- Consistency: Ensure that all caregivers and family members respond consistently to Alex’s appropriate attempts to gain attention. This consistency helps Alex learn that his new behavior is an effective way to communicate.
By consistently reinforcing this alternative behavior, Alex will learn that using words or gestures is a more effective way to get his mother’s attention, thereby reducing the frequency of tantrums.
Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
DRI involves reinforcing a behavior that is physically incompatible with the problematic behavior. This means that the two behaviors cannot occur simultaneously. For Alex, an incompatible behavior might be sitting quietly or engaging in a calm activity when he needs attention.
- Implementation of DRI:
- Identify the Incompatible Behavior: Encourage Alex to engage in a calm activity, such as drawing or playing with a toy, when he wants his mother’s attention.
- Reinforcement: Provide reinforcement when Alex is engaged in the incompatible behavior. This could be verbal praise like “I love how calmly you’re playing” or a small reward.
- Modeling and Practice: Show Alex how to engage in the calm activity and practice it with him during times when he does not need immediate attention. This practice helps Alex understand what is expected and makes it easier for him to adopt the behavior.
By reinforcing a behavior that cannot coexist with tantrums, Alex will gradually learn to replace his tantrums with more acceptable behaviors that still achieve his goal of gaining attention.
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)
DRO involves reinforcing Alex for not displaying the tantrum behavior within a specified period. Instead of reinforcing a specific alternative or incompatible behavior, DRO focuses on the absence of the problematic behavior.
- Implementation of DRO:
- Set a Time Interval: Start with a short time interval, such as five minutes, during which Alex must not throw a tantrum to receive reinforcement.
- Reinforcement: Provide reinforcement if Alex does not exhibit tantrum behavior during the specified interval. The reinforcement can be in the form of praise, a sticker, or extra playtime.
- Gradual Increase: Gradually increase the time intervals as Alex successfully meets the no-tantrum criteria. This helps build longer periods of appropriate behavior.
By using DRO, Alex learns that he can gain positive reinforcement by not engaging in tantrums, which helps to reduce the frequency of the undesirable behavior over time.
Conclusion
Addressing tantrums in a six-year-old like Alex can be effectively managed using DRA, DRI, and DRO techniques. These methods help in teaching Alex alternative, incompatible, or simply the absence of problematic behaviors by providing consistent and positive reinforcement. Over time, with patience and consistent application, Alex will learn more appropriate ways to seek his mother’s attention, leading to a significant reduction in tantrum behaviors.