Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

In a Differential Reinforcement of Other behavior (DRO) intervention, the specified time interval is crucial as it defines the period during which the target behavior should not occur. The dimension most relevant in this context is inter-response time. This is because inter-response time refers to the amount of time that elapses between successive occurrences of the target behavior.

When establishing a DRO, practitioners need to understand how to set an appropriate time interval based on how often the target behavior occurs. A longer inter-response time suggests a longer interval may be necessary before reinforcement is provided for the absence of the behavior. Conversely, if the inter-response time is shorter, this indicates that the behavior happens more frequently, which may necessitate a shorter time interval.

By focusing on inter-response time, practitioners can align the DRO intervals more effectively with the natural occurrence of the behavior, thereby making the intervention more viable and tailored to the individual. This understanding contributes to the successful implementation of the DRO since ensuring the right timing is key to reinforcing the absence of the behavior accurately.