Which term describes a teaching strategy where reinforcement occurs based on the absence of inappropriate behavior?

The correct term for a teaching strategy where reinforcement occurs based on the absence of inappropriate behavior is known as Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior. This approach emphasizes rewarding an individual when they refrain from engaging in inappropriate or undesired behaviors for a specified amount of time.

In this method, the goal is to reduce the frequency of the undesirable behavior by reinforcing the absence of that behavior altogether. For example, if a child is known to frequently shout out during class, a teacher might provide praise or a reward for every 10 minutes that the child remains quiet and does not shout out. This reinforces the individual's ability to control their behavior, encouraging them to maintain that positive behavior over time.

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior focuses on reinforcing a desirable alternative to an undesirable behavior, while Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior entails reinforcing behaviors that cannot occur at the same time as the unwanted behavior. Positive reinforcement, on the other hand, generally refers to providing a reward immediately following a desired behavior but does not specifically relate to the absence of inappropriate behavior.