Evaluation of the predictive validity and applications of reference assessments in the development of leisure repertoires

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2021

First Committee Member

Bancroft, Stacie

Second Committee Member

Pinkston, Jonathan

Third Committee Member

Karsina, Allen

Abstract

"Preference assessments are commonly used to identify reinforcers (Fisher et al., 1992). Identification of reinforcers can help with skill acquisition and in reducing challenging behavior (Graff & Karsten, 2012). Procedural variations across preference assessment types may affect their suitability for different contexts (Virués-Ortega et al., 2014). The current study compares two selection-based preference assessments and two engagement-based preference assessments to determine their relative efficacy in identifying reinforcers for an alternate response and reinforcers that promote extended engagement during leisure. Two students in a residential program that serves children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities participated in this study. Sessions for one participant are complete, while sessions for the second participant are ongoing. The study consisted of three phases. In Phase 1 we completed 12 preference assessments; these included the paired-stimulus (PS), brief response restriction (BRR), multiple-stimulus without replacement (MSWO) and free operant (FO) preference assessments. In Phase 2 we conducted a progressive ratio reinforcer assessment to determine which stimuli were most effective in reinforcing other responses. In Phase 3 we conducted a series of 4 extended free operant assessments which were a combination of free operant and response restriction assessments meant to mimic the participant’s unstructured downtime. Results for one participant suggest that the selection-based preference assessments were more predictive of the progressive ratio reinforcer assessment and engagement-based preference assessments were more predictive of the extended free operant assessment. Considering the context in which these stimuli will be used is helpful when determining appropriate preference assessment methods (Steinhilber & Johnson, 2007)."

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