Combined-category preference assessments : do edible and leisure items displace attention?
Document Type
Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Degree
M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis
Date Completed
2015
First Committee Member
Roscoe, Eileen
Second Committee Member
Graff, Richard
Third Committee Member
Karsten, Amanda
Abstract
"Identifying reinforcers is a critical step for developing skill acquisition programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. A number of preference assessment formats have been used for identifying preferences, particularly with edible and leisure items. However, few studies have systematically evaluated individual preferences for attention in individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the preference and reinforcing efficacy of edible items, leisure items, and forms of attention. Three individuals with an autism spectrum disorder participated. Independent and combined preference assessments of three stimulus categories, including edible items, leisure items, and forms of attention, were conducted. Next, a reinforcer assessment was conducted to determine the relative and absolute reinforcing efficacy of the top-ranked items from each stimulus category. Results showed that edible items were more preferred than leisure items and attention, and leisure items were more preferred than attention. Edible items consistently functioned as more potent reinforcers than leisure items and attention, and the absolute reinforcing efficacy of leisure items and attention varied across participants."
Recommended Citation
Goldberg, Nicole, "Combined-category preference assessments : do edible and leisure items displace attention?" (2015). Master’s Theses - College of Arts and Sciences. 89.
https://digitalcommons.wne.edu/castheses/89
