The effect of Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behaviors (DRI) on pica for cigarettes in two intellectually disabled adults was studied using an A-B-A-B treatment design; in addition, the efficacy of using placebo pica stimuli (bread "cigarette butts") was evaluated. Both subjects received 10 15-minute sessions of baseline followed by 10 sessions of DRI, with a reversal to baseline and a repeat of the DRI treatment. Results support the efficacy of DRI with pica, as well as the use of placebo pica stimuli. Generalization was conducted with one of the subjects; results indicate that treatment effects were present when implemented by several ward personnel. The implications of the results for future research were discussed.
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