Differential reinforcement of low rates aims to do what?

• A. Eliminate the behavior immediately
• B. Slowly decrease the rate of the behavior
• C. Increase the rate of the behavior
• D. Change the behavior without reinforcement

Answer: (B)

Differential reinforcement of low rates reduces how often a behavior occurs by reinforcing instances when the behavior happens at a slower pace than a defined criterion. You set a rate threshold or time interval, and you reward only when the target behavior occurs at or below that rate. If the behavior happens more frequently within the interval, reinforcement is withheld for that interval, and you start the next opportunity, which gradually shifts the animal’s responding to a lower rate. The goal is a slower rate of behavior rather than an immediate elimination, and it relies on reinforcement being contingent on meeting the low-rate criterion. For example, you’d reward a dog only if barking occurs with a sufficient pause between bouts, not every bark.