Which of the following best describes "differential reinforcement"?

Differential reinforcement is an important concept in behavioral interventions, particularly in the context of applied behavior analysis. The best description of differential reinforcement involves reinforcing only the desired behavior while withholding reinforcement from undesired behaviors. This practice helps to increase the frequency of specific, targeted behaviors by providing positive reinforcement when those behaviors occur, while at the same time reducing or eliminating reinforcement for behaviors that are not desired.

This approach effectively teaches individuals which actions are appropriate and expected, promoting adaptive behaviors over maladaptive ones. By focusing reinforcement specifically on desired behaviors, you create a clear relationship between the behavior and its positive outcomes, which encourages the individual to engage in the desired behavior more consistently.

The other options do not embody the principles of differential reinforcement as accurately. For instance, reinforcing all behaviors equally does not provide any distinction between desirable and undesirable actions, undermining the goal of behavior modification. Providing punishments after a behavior does not align with reinforcement strategies and can lead to negative outcomes rather than desired behavioral changes. Lastly, focusing solely on verbal praise limits the scope of reinforcement and does not capture the full strategy of differential reinforcement, which might also include other forms of reinforcement beyond just verbal praise.