Discrimination and Differentiation in ABA

Overview

• Focus on two key ABA concepts: Discrimination and Differentiation.
• Commonly tested in RBT and BCBA exams.
• Both involve differential reinforcement.

Key Differences

• Discrimination: Also known as stimulus discrimination.
  • Involves telling the difference between stimuli.
  • Reinforce responses in the presence of the desired stimulus and put responses in the presence of the undesired stimulus on extinction.
• Differentiation: Also known as response differentiation.
  • Involves reinforcing specific responses while putting others on extinction.
  • Focus on engaging in different responses.

Differential Reinforcement

• Leads to both discrimination and differentiation.
• Reinforce desired behaviors and put undesired ones on extinction.

Discrimination (Stimulus Discrimination)

• Definition: Distinguishing between different stimuli.
• Example 1: Identifying colors (e.g., red card vs. blue card).
  • Reinforce pointing to the correct card (e.g., red) and not the incorrect one (e.g., blue).
• Example 2: Picking the correct classroom (e.g., room 201 vs. 202).
  • Reinforce entering the correct room.
• Practice Question:
  • Teaching a client which food containers to use.
  • Use labels to differentiate containers (e.g., green dot for the correct one).

Differentiation (Response Differentiation)

• Definition: Reinforcing specific responses more frequently than others.
• Example 1: Polite asking (e.g., "Please, can I?" vs. "Can I?").
  • Reinforce the polite request.
• Example 2: Gaining attention (e.g., tapping vs. hitting).
  • Reinforce tapping on the shoulder.
• Practice Question:
  • Teaching a client to push a door instead of pulling.
  • Use shaping and differential reinforcement to encourage the correct behavior.

Summary

• Discrimination vs. Differentiation:
  • Discrimination: Focus on stimuli.
  • Differentiation: Focus on responses.
• Role of Shaping: Associated with response differentiation.

Tips for Exam Success

• Understand the technical terms and focus on key differences.
• Practice identifying stimuli vs. responses in questions.
• Use differential reinforcement effectively in practice scenarios.

Resources

• Visit RBTExamReview.com or BCBAStudy.com for more study materials.
• Stay engaged with practice questions and materials provided on the websites.