DRI stands for Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior, a technique used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to reduce problem behaviors without punishment. The core idea is simple: you reinforce a behavior that physically cannot happen at the same time as the unwanted one. Because the two behaviors are incompatible, strengthening the desired one naturally crowds out the problem behavior.
How DRI Works
DRI combines two behavioral principles at once. First, you reinforce (reward) a specific behavior that is physically incompatible with the problem behavior. Second, you withhold reinforcement when the problem behavior occurs, a process called extinction. Over time, the incompatible behavior becomes more frequent because it’s being rewarded, while the problem behavior decreases because it’s no longer producing a payoff.
The key word here is “incompatible.” The replacement behavior must be something the person literally cannot do simultaneously with the unwanted behavior. A child cannot hit someone while keeping both hands folded in their lap. A student cannot shout out answers while raising a quiet hand. That physical impossibility is what separates DRI from other differential reinforcement techniques.
Common Examples
DRI shows up across classrooms, therapy sessions, and homes. Here are some typical behavior pairs:
- Hitting when frustrated: Reinforce using words or sign language to express feelings. A child can’t strike someone while using their hands to sign or gesture communicatively.
- Calling out in class: Reinforce raising a hand quietly. A student can’t shout an answer while waiting silently with a raised hand.
- Grabbing toys from peers: Reinforce sharing or taking turns. A child can’t snatch a toy while handing one over or waiting for a turn.
- Crying or pointing to get needs met: Reinforce using picture cards or verbal requests. Using a communication system replaces the less functional behavior.
- Aggressive play: Reinforce using a calm voice and cooperative play, which can’t coexist with shoving or yelling.
How DRI Differs From DRA and DRO
DRI is one of several differential reinforcement procedures used in ABA, and they’re easy to confuse. The differences matter because each one fits different situations.
DRI (Incompatible Behavior) reinforces a behavior that physically cannot occur at the same time as the problem behavior. The replacement must be topographically incompatible, meaning the person’s body can’t do both things at once.
DRA (Alternative Behavior) reinforces any appropriate alternative behavior that serves the same function as the problem behavior, but it doesn’t have to be physically incompatible. If a child screams to get attention, a DRA approach might reinforce tapping a caregiver’s shoulder. The child could technically scream and tap at the same time, but the alternative gives them a better path to the same outcome.
DRO (Other Behavior) reinforces the absence of the problem behavior during a set time interval. It doesn’t teach a specific replacement. Instead, the person is rewarded for simply not engaging in the unwanted behavior for a given period.
DRI is actually a subset of DRA. Every incompatible behavior is, by definition, an alternative behavior. But not every alternative behavior is incompatible. DRI is the more precise tool when a true physical incompatibility exists.
How To Implement DRI
Putting DRI into practice follows a structured process, whether you’re a board-certified behavior analyst or a parent working with a therapy team.
Define the Behaviors Clearly
Start by identifying both the problem behavior and the incompatible replacement in specific, observable terms. Vague goals like “behave better” don’t work. A clear behavioral goal might look like: “The child will engage in fewer than two aggressive behaviors per hour during playtime for three consecutive days.” The incompatible behavior needs to be just as precisely defined so that everyone involved can recognize it and reinforce it consistently.
Choose a Behavior the Person Can Already Do
The replacement behavior should already exist in the person’s repertoire, or at least be easy enough to learn quickly. If a child has never used picture cards before, jumping straight to that as the incompatible replacement will slow progress. The replacement should be as easy or easier than the problem behavior to produce the desired outcome. If the incompatible behavior takes significantly more effort than the problem behavior, the person has little motivation to switch.
Select Meaningful Reinforcers
Reinforcers need to match the individual’s preferences and be motivating enough to compete with whatever was maintaining the problem behavior. These can be tangible (a preferred snack, a toy, extra screen time) or social (praise, attention, a high five). What works varies from person to person, so identifying what a specific individual finds rewarding is essential. A reinforcer that doesn’t actually motivate the learner won’t change behavior.
Reinforce Consistently, Then Fade
In the early stages, reinforce the incompatible behavior every single time it occurs. This continuous reinforcement schedule builds the new behavior quickly. Once the replacement behavior is well established, you can shift to intermittent reinforcement, rewarding it only some of the time. This transition helps the behavior persist in natural settings where constant reinforcement isn’t realistic.
Why DRI Is Widely Used
DRI is a cornerstone of ABA because it builds skills rather than simply suppressing behavior. Instead of punishing a child for hitting, you’re actively teaching and rewarding an alternative way to use their body. This constructive approach is considered more ethical and tends to produce more durable results, since the person gains a new behavior rather than just losing an old one.
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board includes differential reinforcement procedures (DRI among them) as a core competency in its certification standards. Practitioners are expected to design and evaluate these procedures both with and without extinction components, recognizing that the approach sometimes needs to be adapted. For instance, in some cases, fully withholding all reinforcement for the problem behavior isn’t safe or practical, so the extinction component may be modified.
Limitations To Keep in Mind
DRI’s biggest constraint is built into its definition: there must be a behavior that is truly incompatible with the problem behavior. Not every unwanted behavior has an obvious physical opposite. When no clear incompatible behavior exists, DRA or DRO may be better options.
Results also vary by individual. Research on DRI combined with other strategies for self-injurious behavior, for example, has shown strong reductions in some individuals but not others. The effectiveness depends on factors like how well the reinforcer competes with what was maintaining the problem behavior, whether the replacement behavior is genuinely easier to perform, and how consistently the procedure is applied across settings and caregivers. DRI works best as part of a comprehensive behavior plan rather than as a standalone fix.