Glossary D

Differential diagnosis refers to the determination of which of two (2) or more possible diagnoses is most appropriate for a client; the process of systematically ruling out alternative diagnoses. Moreover, Differential diagnosis is the process of being able to differentiate one condition or disorder from another through the use of set diagnostic criteria. The term is based on a medical-disease model in which accurate diagnosis is believed to inform a clinician about effective treatments.

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Differential effects is a term used in a Research study that refers to the time related threats to internal validity that affect the groups differently. For example, differential history effects, differential instrumentation effects, differential maturation, differential testing, and differential regression.

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Differential emotions theory is a term in Izard's view that the major emotions are distinct at birth but emerge gradually in accord with maturation and the child's developing needs

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Differential opportunity theory refers to a theory that attempts to join the concept of anomie and differential association by analyzing both legitimate and illegitimate opportunity structures available to individuals. Differential opportunity theory posits that illegitimate opportunities, like legitimate opportunities, are unequally distributed.

Differential reinforcement is defined as a procedure involving two (2) or more physically different behaviors: one behavior is reinforced, and all others are extinguished.

- Differential reinforcement of high rates (DRH) : Differential reinforcement of high rates (DRH) refers to a schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon emitting at least a certain number of responses in a certain period of time - or, more generally, Reinforcement is provided for responding at a fast rate.

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- Differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL) : Differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL) refers to a schedule in which a minimum amount of time must pass between each response before the reinforcer will be delivered - or, more generally, Reinforcement is provided for responding at a slow rate.

- Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) : Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) refers to reinforcement of any behavior other than a target behavior that is being extinguished. One variant of this is called Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI), wherein the behavior which is being reinforced is specifically incompatible with the behavior being extinguished.

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