5047 Instructors Notes Flashcards
Outline
- Preference Assessments
- Preliminary
- Observation based
- Systematic Manipultions
- Deciding
Preference Assessment
*Methods for identifying items and activities that MAY function as reinforcers
- 3 general approaches:
- Ask (Indirect)
- Watch (Naturalistic Observations)
- Test (Direct)
Indirect
- Informant Based:
- Can be client directly or parent/ caregiver/ teacher
- Interviews; Forms
- Used in inform later assessments
Naturalistic Observation
- Decide the most relevant “free time” to observe
- Record duration of interactions
- Direct observations
Advantages of Naturalistic Observations
- Does not require verbal response
- Does not require removal
- Does not require “trials”
- Relevant setting
- Can observe the manner in which they play
Direct preference assessments
- Arranging items or activities to observe client selection and engagement
- Data to collect:
- Percent of selection
- Duration of engagement
- Trial-Based
- 1 or More items presented across trials & approach is measured
- Single-Stimulus (Pace 85)
- Paired-Stimulus (Fisher 92)
- Multiple-Stimulus (Windsor, DeLeon & Iwata)
*Single-Stimulus-Procedures
Identify items and set up Present one at a time Wait for approach (If no approach: remove) Record data Start next trial
Single-Stimulus- Advantages and Disadvantages
- Can identify many items
- Prone to fasle positives
- Don’t know the relative value
Paired-Stimulus
- Items presented in pairs
- All possible combinations
- Time consuming
- Results in a hierarchy
Paired- Stimulus Procedures
- Present 2 items
- Wait for approach; allow access; remove other
- No approach: remove and represent
- Reach for both: Block
- Record data
- Next trial
*Position Bias
-Continuing to select items on a particular side regardless of items present
*Multiple Stimulus
- Present all items simultaneously
- Participant selects one
- More time efficient
- Can return a hierarchy
*MSW - Procedure
- Present all items
- Give instruction to “choose”; remove unselected items; block attempts to grab at others
- Record data
- Re-present ALL items
*MSWO- Procedure
- Present all items
- Give instruction to “choose”; remove unselected items; block attempts to grab at others
- Record data
- Re-present remaining items
MS Limitations
- Only useful with table-top items
- Stimuli are taken away
- No hierarchy: MSW
- MSWO provides a hierarchy (advantage)
Variations
- Sometimes items or activities cannot be made readily available to display
- 2 common alternatives:
- Vocal
- Pictorial
Vocal
- Options presented vocally
- Client selects from named items/activities
- Prerequisite:
- Sufficient verbal behavior
Pictorial
*Provide pictures for each activity and participant can select from options
- Prerequisite:
- Picture-to-object matching
Duration-Based
*Rather than measuring selection, you measure the amount of time spent with items or activities
- 2 common formats:
- Free operant
- Single-item
Free Operant - Procedures
- Present all items (doesn’t have to be at the table)
- Allow access for entire assessment time
- Record duration with each item
- Rank based on engagement
Single-item Duration
-Present item, start timer
-Allow up to 2 minutes of access
‘Start a 2nd timer:
When individual starts to interact
(Stop 2nd timer when they stop)
-After 2 minutes, stop timer(s) and remove items
-Record data
The BCBA provides the client with a list of items and has them rate their favorites. Which type of assessment is the BCBA conducting?
a. Direct
b. Indirect
b. Indirect
Which of the following is Naturalistic Observation?
a. The BCBA takes the 5 most preferred items and sets them on the table, then watches and records the duration of engagement
b. The BCBA asks teachers and caregivers to list what the client typically plays with
c. The BCBA watches a typical day at preschool and records items and duration of engagement
c. The BCBA watches a typical day at preschool and records items and duration of engagement
A BCBA is running a single-stimulus preference assessment with their client. They items and set up at the table. They place the first item in front of the client, the client does not respond. What should the BCBA do?
a. Physically guide the client to try the item
b. Remove the item
c. Give an instruction, “Try it out”
d. Record as “incorrect”
b. Remove the item
Which is a limitation of single-stimulus preference assessment?
a. Do not know if items listed in a checklist will match actual items selected
b. Generally, does not identify many potential reinforcers
c. Could not identify which of 2 concurrently available items would be more preferred
d. Cannot inform a reinforcer assessment
c. Could not identify which of 2 concurrently available items would be more preferred
The BCBA is running a paired-stimulus PA. They present 2 items in front of the participant (book and blocks). The participant selects the book. What should the BCBA do now?
a. Record the data and immediately remove both items
b. Record data and allow access to the book
c. Wait for the participant to lose interest and then present the blocks alone
b. Record data and allow access to the book
The client has had an opportunity to play with the item, BCBA has recorded the data, and now removed the item. What should the BCBA doe next?
a. Re-present the same 2 items
b. Present the item which was not previously selected
c. Present the next planned pair of items
c. Present the next planned pair of items
The BCBA shows the client 5 items and allows them to select one. They provide access for a period of time and collect data. The BCBA then presents all 5 items again. Which PA method is the BCBA using?
a. Single-stimulus
b. Paired-stimulus
c. MSW
d. MSWO
c. MSW
The BCBA is now running a MSWO with a client. The client reaches out to grab two of the 5 items on the table. What should the BCBA do?
a. Allow access to both and record data
b. Wait to see which the client puts down first, then record data
c. Block access and re-present
d. Block access and remove both
c. Block access and re-present
Which items might be best assessed through vocal or pictorial assessments?
a. Dolls
b. Bike rides
c. Playground time
Cars
d. Board games
e. Conversations with peers
b. Bike rides
c. Playground time
e. Board games
f. Conversations with peers
In which case would free operant assessment be most useful?
a. A client has problem behavior related to access to attention
b. A client does not approach items unless the item is direct in front of them
c. A client has difficulty when items are removed
c. A client has difficulty when items are removed
The BCBA is conducting a single-item, duration assessment. They have presented a single item, what do they do next?
a. Start a timer
b. Start both timers
c. Wait for client to select an item, then start 2 timers
d. Allow 2 minutes of untimed access
a. Start a timer
The BCBA has presented a single item in front of the client. The client approaches the item, the BCBA records the approach data and permits access. Then they remove the item and present another. Which type of assessment is the BCBA using?
a. Single-stimulus
b. Paired-stimulus
c. Single-item duration
a. Single-stimulus
The BCBA has ample time to conduct an assessment. They need to identify the highest preferred item, but also want a hierarchy of other possible reinforcers. There are no concerns with item removal. Which would be recommended?
a. MSWO
b. Paired-stimulus
c. Free Operant
d. Single-stimulus
b. Paired-stimulus
The BCBA needs to conduct a fairly quick assessment. The client has demonstrated problem behavior when items are removed. Which assessment type would likely be best to use?
a. MSWO
b. Free Operant
c. Indirect only
d. Single-stimulus
b. Free Operant
The BCBA want to assess preference for activities which will take a prolonged time to set up and access. What would be the best way to compare preferences?
a. Use pictorial assessment
b. Use paired-stimulus assessment
c. Use indirect only
a. Use pictorial assessment
What is a Preference Assessment?
Helps identify PREFERENCES… that’s all –DO NOT ASSUME FUNCTION
Identifying reinforcers is a 2-step process
- Preference Assessment
2. Reinforcer Assessment
Indirect preference assessments
- “Tell me” method•Method to collect information about someone’s preferences
- General types (interview, checklist, rating scales)
- Can get information via:
- Self-report
- Caregiver nomination
Indirect preference assessment
- Disadvantages:
- Subjective
- Not reliable/ accurate
- False positives (i.e.,may identify multiple items as highly preferred)
- Advantages:
- Easy and Fast
- Narrows the field
*Naturalistic Observation (duration-based)
Disadvantages
- Really time consuming
- Potentially limited access to stimuli
- Individual may only interact with one thing the whole time
*Naturalistic Observation (duration-based)
Advantages
- Objective
- Does not require a verbal repertoire
- Less likely to produce PB
Zac sits down with his client’s mom and asks her a few questions about what his client typically spends his time doing, what food he likes, and what toys/items he typically interacts with. Zac is using (a) _______ to asses his client’s preferences.
A) Naturalistic observation
B )Behavioral interview
C) Direct assessment
D) Questionnaire
B. Behavioral interview
The BCBA observes her client at home for an hour. She follows her client around writing down the activities she does and items she plays with. What type of preference assessment is the BCBA using?
A ) Naturalistic observation
B) Behavioral interview
C) Indirect assessment
D) Questionnaire
A) Naturalistic Observation
Single Stimulus PA
*Select stimuli to include
•Prep for session (have data sheets, items, clear space etc.) •Allow sampling
•This ensures they are familiar with the items and approaching during assessment simply because there is a novel item present
*Start Assessment Now
Single Stimulus PA (Cont…d)
*Start Assessment Now:
•Place items in front of individual one at a time
•Randomize and present each one more than once
•Give them about 5 seconds to approach…
-If approach let them consume/play with item for X amount of time
-If not approach –remove the item
-Record the data
-Start next trial (do about 10 trials per item)
Hunter is conducting a single-stimulus preference assessment with his client Lloyd. Hunter places some Playdoh in front of Llyod and waits 5 seconds. Llyod does not touch the toy. What should Hunter do next?
A )Record an approach
B) Remove item and record data
C) Record engagement
D) Remove the item and re-present the same item18
B) Remove item and record data
Single Stimulus PA
Trial-Based
- Presentation: Single item is presented
- Measure: Approach contact or engagement
- Display: Bar graph
- Adv: Easy to conduct, No select/ scanning, IDs large # of stimuli, Can identify preferred stimuli
- Dis-Adv: Undifferentiated responding, False positive, Removal of Stimuli
Paired-Stimulus
Trial-Based
- Presentation: Present stimuli in pairs
- Measure: Selection
- Display: Bar graph
- Adv: IDs potent reinforcer, Hierarchy
- Dis-Adv: False negatives, Time consuming, Removal of stimuli, Side bias
Paired-Stimulus PA: Determining the # of Trials
Formula
=n (n-1) / 2 =6 (6-1) / 2 =6 (5) / 2 = 30/ 2 =15
Paired-Stimulus PA
- Select stimuli to include
- Prep for session (have data sheets, determine trials and pairs ahead of time)
- Allow sampling
- Start sampling
- Start Assessment now:
Paired Stimulus PA (cont…d)
-Start assessment now:
-Present 2 items
-Give them a chance to select one
‘If selected 1 - remove the other
‘If they didn’t select either remove item & represent
“If they grabbed both Block access
-Record data
-Start next trial
Evette needs to identify a hierarchy of preferred items for her client Rose. Evette selects 5 items based on indirect PA results. Evette creates her datasheet to ensure each item is paired with the other items and so that each item appears on the left and right side. She does this before starting the assessment.What should Evette do next when conducting this PA?
A) Line up all 5 items in an array on the table and ask Rose to pick one
B) Present the first pair of items to Rose and ask her to Pick one
C) Present one item at a time and measure approach
D) Present all 5 items and just watch Rose interact with each one
B) Present the first pair of items to Rose and ask her to Pick one
MSW
Trial-based
- Presentation: Group of items (3 +1)
- Measure: Selection
- Display: Bar graph
- Adv: Brief/ efficient, Provides info about single preferred stimulus, Less prone to overestimate
- Dis-Adv: Removal of stimuli, May not yield hierarchy, Array size is limited
MSW
- Select items to include
- Set up for session
- Allow sampling
- Start assessment now:
- Place all stimuli in straight line in front of client
- “Pick one”
- Give access/let them eat the item
- Block multiple selections •Record data
- RETURNitem to array, rotate, and start next trial
•Linda is conducting an MSW. She selected 5 items that were identified on the indirect assessment. She placed the 5 items in a straight line in front of the client and asked him to pick one. The client picked a dinosaur. Linda allows him access and records the data. What should she do next?
A) Remove the dinosaur and repeat the assessment with only 4 items
B) Return the dinosaur to the array, rotate, and start next trial
C) Say “good job choosing” and end the assessment
D) Present each item one at a time after the first selection
B) Return the dinosaur to the array, rotate, and start next trial
MSWO
Trial-Based
- Presentation: Group of items (3+)
- Measure: Selection
- Display: Bar graph
- Adv: Brief/ efficient (good for frequent use), Yields hierarchy
- Dis-Adv: Removal of stimuli. Array size is limited, Limited to tabletop items
MSWO
- Select items to include
- Set up for session•Allow sampling
- Start assessment here:•Place all stimuli in straight line in front of client
- “Pick one”
- Give access/let them eat the item
- Block multiple selections
- Record data
- REMOVE the item they chose from array, rotate, and start next trial
Krista is assessing her client’s preference of 10 different items she selected to include in the assessment. Krista first puts a few blocks on the table in front of her client and records if he approaches them. Then Krista removes the blocks and puts some cars on the table in front of him and records if he plays with it. She continues this pattern until all 10 items have been assessed. Which preference assessment is Krista using?
A) Paired-stimulus
B) MSWO
C) MSW
D) Single-stimulus
D. Single-Stimulus
Aiden is assessing Mindy’s preference of 6 different items. He lines up the 6 items on a table in front of Mindy and asks her to select one of the items. Mindyselects a cheese puff. Aiden grabs another cheese puff and replaces the one that Mindy consumed. Aiden then presents another trial by presenting the 6 items again in front of Mindy on the table and asks hertoselect one. Which preference assessment is Aiden using?
A) Paired-stimulus
B) MSWO
C) MSW
D) Single-stimulus
C) MSW
-Vocal Ask Vocally
-Individual must have prerequisite skills: auditory match-to-sample
-Adv: FAST, use to asses items that cannot be placed on tabletops
DisAdv: indirect measure [self-report may not be accurate]
-Pictorial Use Pictures
- Individual must have prerequisite skills: picture-to-object matching (and the others: scanning, approach, positional bias potential)
- Adv: FAST (no time spent on consumption), use to assess items that cannot be placed on tabletops, no vocal response required
- Disdv: same as multiple stimulus and PS format
Abby’s client is motivated by social interaction. She particularly loves piggyback rides, tickles, horsey rides, and playing catch. Given this information, which preference assessment makes the most sense for Abby to use?
A) MSWO
B) MSWO with pictorial stimuli
C) Single-stimulus
D) You cannot assess
B) MSWO with pictorial stimuli
How to select items for inclusion
- Is it ok to use?
- Is it ok to withhold?
- Easily replenishable?
- Cost?
- Does it make sense in the natural environment?
- Does effectiveness diminish quickly
- Does the delivery disrupt ongoing bx?Sessions?
- Are there any detrimental effects?
Free Operant
-Format: Free Operant
-Presentation: Group
-Measure: Duration or Partial-interval
-Adv: Brief/efficient, Good if relinquishing issues (less PB), No issue /of position bias
Dis-Adv: False negative, Sometimes no hierarchy
Single-item
-Format: Trial-based
-Presentation: Single item is presented
-Measure: Duration of engagement
-Display: Bar graph
Dis: No issue of position bias, If results of another method show flat distribution you can use to clarify results
Free Operant
- Select stimuli in advance, prepare data sheet, have timer ready
- Decide on how long they will be presented for (5 min, 10)
- Start assessment now:
- Present multiple item at once
- Allow free access
- Time how long client engages with each item (Duration/ partial interval)
- Ranked based on duration of engagement
Single-ITEM duration preference assessment
•Similar to the single stimulus preference assessment
Present one item and start 2-minute trial timer
•Start a SECOND timer when the client starts to engage with the item
•Essentially you are timing how long they interact with the item within a 2-minute window
•Stop second timer when they stop interacting OR stop both timers at the end of 2-minutes
-Remove item
-Record data
Nick conducted a single-stimulus preference assessment but unfortunately his client approached every single item yielding a flat distribution. What assessment can Nick use now to help clarify the results and provide a hierarchy?
A) Indirect assessment
B) MSW
C) Single-item duration
D) Naturalistic observation
C) Single-item duration
Nina starts assessing her client’s preference by putting 4 toys in front of her client. She starts a timer when her client starts playing with one of the toys and stops the timer when he moves on to a different toy and immediately starts the timer again for timing how long sheplays with the next toy. Nina records the length of time her client interacts with each toy. Which preference assessment is Nina using?
A) MSWO
B) Paired-stimulus
C) Free operant
D) Single-stimulus
C) Free operant
Lauren has a new client who will play with absolutely anything that is available. The client seems to have a large array of preferred items and Lauren wants to start off by narrowing the field. Which assessment can she use to do this?
A) MSWO
B) Indirect
C) Paired Stimulus
B) Indirect
Frank needs to use a preference assessment frequently throughout a 3-hour session with his client. Which would be the best method for Frank to use given he only has 3 hours and needs to run the assessment 2-3 times?
A) Paired-stimulus
B) MSWO
C) Naturalistic observation
D) Indirect method
B) MSWO
Michael has excellent motor skills but is unable to visually scan an array of items when multiple items are placed in front of him. Which assessment should be used?
A) Paired-stimulus
B) MSWO
C) Free operant
D) Single-stimulus
D) Single-stimulus
Manuel has excellent motor skills and is able tovisually scan an array of items when multiple items are placed in front of him. The BCBA and client are not pressed for time and are able to spent some time running the appropriate assessment. There is no threat of position bias. Which one should the BCBA select?
A) Free operant
B) Paired-stimulus
C) MSW
D) Single-stimulus
B) Paired-stimulus
George has toconduct a preference assessment for his client. His client tends to engage in aggression towards the therapist when the therapist takes away an item that he is playing with. George’s main concerns is to identify a preferred item(s). He doesn’t care too much about identifying a hierarchy at this point in time. Which preference assessment would be the most appropriate?
A) MSWO
B) Paired-stimulus
C) Free operant
D) Single-stimulus
C) Free operant
Rudy needs to conduct a preference assessment for his client. Rudy needs a variety of items that may function as a reinforcer that he can use throughout his 1:1 session. He doesn’t really care about identifying a hierarchy and his client has issues with making a selectionwhen presented with options. Considering all these variables, which preference assessment would be the most appropriate?
A) MSWO
B) Paired stimulus
C) Single-item duration
D) Paired stimulus using pictures
C) Single-item duration
Preference Assessment:
Methods for identifying an individual’s preference for items and/or activities that may function as reinforcers in actual training/ treatment
•Conducted under low effort requirements with simplistic responses
–i.e.SPA do NOT guarantee utility of a stimulus as a R+ in actual training/Tx
–Stimulus Preference Assessment and Reinforcer assessment are NOT the same thing!
3 Methods to Identify Preferences
- Indirect-informant based (ASK)
- Naturalistic-“in-vivo”direct observation of behavior in the environment (WATCH)
- Reinforcer sampling (OFFER)
Indirect Preference Assessment
- Informant-based assessment that provides information about an individual’s preference for tangible items and/or activities
- Ask client or CG what items the client prefers
- Use scale, survey, inventory checklist
Indirect Preference Assessment
- Advantages: Easy & Quick to complete
- Disadvantages: May identify multiple items/ activities as high preference
- Not necessarily accurate
-Naturalistic Observation
- Direct assessment
- Collecting data in the natural env to find high probability bxs
-Naturalistic Observation
- Advantage:
- R+ not withdrawn & therapist not presenting demand “choose one” so might decrease likelihood of prob bx
- Disadvantages:
- Time consuming, Potential limited access to stimuli, May only engage with a few items
In order to identify Johnny’s reinforcers, Matt decides to ask Johnny’s mother what he likes. Asking Johnny’s mom would be an example of:
A .Indirect
B. Naturalistic
C. Trial-based
D. Duration-based
A. Indirect
Matt decided to set Johnny up in an enriched environment. Matt collected data on items in the room including known preferred toys, activities, and foods. Matt then collected data on approach and duration of engagement. What type of preference assessment did Matt conduct?
A. Multiple stimulus
B. Single stimulus
C. Paired choice
D. Naturalistic observation
D. Naturalistic observation
Structured Preference Assessment Methods
- Direct: Observation-based assessment that provides information about an individual’s preference for tangible items and/or activities
- Trial/selection-based
- Duration based
Trial-based Preference Assessment
•Direct preference assessment in which one or more items is/are presented across trials and approach is measured
Trial-Based Preference Assessment
•Single Stimulus •Paired-choice •Multiple stimulus –With replacement –Without replacement
Single-Stimulus Preference Assessment
•Place items, one at a time in front of the person
–Typically, 10 trials per item
•Measure whether they approach the item
•Hierarchy based on the number of times an item was approached given the number of times it was available:
–Approaches/trials
Single-Stimulus Preference Assessment
-Advantages
–Good for individuals with severe deficits
–Does not require scanning an array, making a choice
–May assess larger numbers of stimuli
Single-Stimulus Assessment
•Disadvantages
–Difficult to identify info about relative preferences
–Undifferentiated approach may produce false positives
•Select anything in front of them, items may not actually function as reinforcers later
The following problem(s) are associated with the single stimulus method
A .indiscriminate responses B. potential for false positives C. potential for false negatives D. A and B E.A and C
D. A and B
Adele is conducting a single-stimulus preference assessment. She places an action figure in front of her client, and they pick it up and look at it. What should Adele do next?
A .Place the next toy on the table
B. Take the action figure back from the client
C. record the engagement with the item
D. wait for the child to stop playing with the toy
C. record the engagement with the item