In Differential Reinforcement of High Rates of Responding (DRH), what is the requirement for reinforcement?

In Differential Reinforcement of High Rates of Responding (DRH), the requirement for reinforcement is that the behavior must exceed a specific prescribed limit. This technique is designed to encourage a high frequency of a certain behavior by offering reinforcement only when the frequency of that behavior surpasses a set threshold. By setting this limit, practitioners can effectively shape behavior, promoting increased engagement in desirable actions.

For instance, if a student is practicing their math problems, they might only receive praise or rewards when they complete a certain number of problems within a specified timeframe. This approach not only reinforces the behavior of completing the problems but also motivates the student to work more vigorously, ultimately leading to higher overall performance.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the principles of DRH. The focus of DRH is specifically on increasing the rate of response, which is why behaviors occurring at low frequencies or not meeting a set limit would not qualify for reinforcement within this framework. Continuous occurrence of a behavior is unrelated to the DRH methodology, which is centered around specific thresholds and is aimed at enhancing behavior rates rather than maintaining continuous engagement.