Which of the following describes differential reinforcement?

Differential reinforcement is a behavioral strategy used to encourage desired behaviors while minimizing undesired behaviors. The definition that accurately describes differential reinforcement is focused on the practice of reinforcing only those responses that meet a specific criterion. This creates a distinction between behaviors that are desirable and those that are not, as reinforcement is contingent upon the occurrence of specific behaviors that meet established criteria.

When only certain behaviors are reinforced, the others are typically placed on extinction, meaning that they are no longer reinforced and thus are less likely to occur in the future. This method helps shape the individual's behavior by providing positive reinforcement to encourage the desired actions while simultaneously reducing the likelihood of the undesired ones.

Other options do not align with the principles of differential reinforcement. For example, reinforcing all responses without criteria does not encourage specific behavior changes and does not utilize the selective reinforcement aspect of differential reinforcement. Similarly, a form of punishment does not describe reinforcement and does not apply to the intent or methodology of differential reinforcement. Finally, exclusively reinforcing negative behaviors contradicts the premise of differential reinforcement, which seeks to promote positive behaviors rather than focusing on negative ones.