Response-cost refers to a procedure whereby a positive reinforcer is lost or some penalty is invoked following a specific misbehavior. In an alternate procedure called Differential Reinforcement of Other Responses (DRO), a reinforcing stimulus is delivered when a particular response is not emitted for a specific interval of time. This study compares the effectiveness of these two procedures in reducing four types of inappropriate behaviors. Subjects were eight residents of a state hospital's adolescent unit. Results show DRO as significantly more effective than response-cost procedures in reducing swearing. Moreover, one of the response-cost procedures utilized resulted in slight increases in the frequencies of two of the other three targeted behaviors. Based on these results the authors recommend that treatment personnel explore the use of less aversive and possibly more effective positive contingencies. (Author)