Comparing main and collateral effects of extinction and differential reinforcement of alternative behavior.

Petscher et al. (2008) tested two ways to stop loud talk-outs and work refusal in a classroom.

They used an alternating-treatments design. Some days they ignored the problem (extinction). Other days they paid kids with tokens for doing the right thing instead (DRA).

Each kid got both treatments, so the team could watch side effects as they happened.

DRA cut problem behavior faster than extinction alone.

Yet extinction gave one child better on-task work and also sparked aggression in that same child.

No one showed the classic extinction burst—just the quiet trade-off above.

Bhaumik et al. (2009) looked at 116 DRA papers and call the package well-established. Their big picture matches the fast drop Seligson saw, but they do not flag the academic boost that only extinction gave.

Brown et al. (2020) ran DRA with and without extinction and later tested resurgence. Both sets of kids relapsed the same amount, even though the DRA-only group looked worse during treatment. This extends Seligson’s trade-off: quick DRA gains can hide equal long-term risk.

Briggs et al. (2019) also skipped extinction and still beat problem behavior by making the payoff for compliance bigger and better. Their success supports Seligson’s DRA speed, showing you can skip extinction if the alternative reward is strong enough.

Cohen et al. (1993) found DRO without extinction failed for two of three kids. That seems to clash with Briggs and Seligson, but the difference is procedure: DRO pays for any break in problem behavior, while DRA pays for a true replacement skill. The lesson: pick the right alternative response, not just any response.

You now know DRA will probably give you the quickest drop in talk-outs or refusal, so use it when the team needs fast relief. If the child also needs higher academic engagement, try short extinction bursts, but watch for sudden aggression and be ready to switch. Keep data on both academics and aggression so you catch the trade-off before it surprises you.