On the Generality of Preference for Contingent Reinforcement

Author

• Holly C. Gover, Western New England University
• Gregory P. Hanley, Western New England University
• Kelsey R. Rupple, Western New England University

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Date

11-2021

Abstract

Reinforcers can be delivered dependent on or independent of responding. Both human and nonhuman animals have shown a preference for contexts involving contingent reinforcement, but the generality of this phenomenon to humans and its implications have not yet been described. We present an integrative summary of studies evaluating preference for contingent versus noncontingent reinforcement, including (a) study participants, reinforcer types, response topographies, and contexts; (b) outcomes; (c) potential variables influencing preference outcomes; and (d) suggestions regarding research to expand behavior analysts' ability to design preferred contexts.

Recommended Citation

Gover, Holly C.; Hanley, Gregory P.; and Rupple, Kelsey R., "On the Generality of Preference for Contingent Reinforcement" (2021). Student Work - College of Arts and Sciences. 79.
https://digitalcommons.wne.edu/casstudent/79

Original Citation

Gover, H. C., Hanley, G. P., & Ruppel, K. W. (2022). On the generality of preference for contingent reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 55(2), 318-336. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.892