What is the main focus of "differential reinforcement"?

The main focus of differential reinforcement is to reinforce one specific behavior while withholding reinforcement for another behavior. This technique is particularly effective in shaping desired behaviors and reducing unwanted ones. By focusing on reinforcing only the behavior that is desired, practitioners can encourage individuals to engage in that specific behavior more consistently.

Differential reinforcement works by identifying the behavior that needs to be increased and ensuring it is rewarded whenever it occurs, while simultaneously ignoring or not reinforcing competing behaviors. This approach is based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), where the emphasis is placed on understanding and manipulating the environment to create meaningful behavior change.

The other choices do not align with the principles of differential reinforcement. Reinforcing all behaviors equally dilutes the effectiveness of reinforcement, as it does not prioritize the behaviors one wishes to encourage. Providing consequences for all actions does not specifically target behavior modification, and offering rewards for participation does not inherently lead to behavior change either; it lacks the focus of identifying and reinforcing specific behaviors.