DRL schedule
Also written as: DRL — Differential Reinforcement of Low rates
A reinforcement schedule that delivers rewards only when behaviors occur at or below a specified rate or with sufficient spacing between responses.
Full Definition
DRL (Differential Reinforcement of Low rates) is a reinforcement procedure designed to reduce the frequency of behaviors without eliminating them entirely. Reinforcement is provided when the target behavior occurs at or below a predetermined rate or when sufficient time has elapsed since the previous response. This schedule is particularly useful for addressing behaviors that are appropriate but occurring too frequently, such as excessive talking, rapid eating, or repetitive questions. DRL schedules can be implemented as either spaced-responding DRL (reinforcement after a minimum interval) or full-session DRL (reinforcement if total responses remain below criterion). This approach maintains the behavior while reducing its problematic frequency.
Usage
Usage note: Frequently confused with DRH schedule, which increases rather than decreases behavior frequency.
In Context
- "A DRL schedule was used to reduce the client's excessive hand-raising while maintaining appropriate participation." — Classroom intervention report
- "The spaced-responding DRL schedule required a 30-second interval between responses for reinforcement." — Behavioral procedure description