Unit 3

Question 1

Identifying stimulus preference- caregiver/client report

Answer 1

most efficient, less time consuming

Question 2

Identifying stimulus preference- RAISD

Answer 2

Reinforcer assessment for individuals with severe disabilities

Question 3

Survey on Assessing Preferences (De Leon & Graff)

Answer 3

90% of all respondents only use informal assessments

99% of public school teachers only use informal

Question 4

False positive

Answer 4

An item that is identified as a reinforcer that does not serve as a reinforcer

Question 5

False negatives

Answer 5

False negatives: low preference items that do function as effective reinforcers

Question 6

Rank order correlations

Answer 6

Rank Order Correlations

-1——————— 0 ———————–+1

-1: As one goes up, the other goes down
+1: As one goes up, the other goes up
0: No systematic relationship

Question 7

Green et al 1988- caregiver report & informal assessment

Answer 7

+ Easiest (least labor intensive)
- Near zero correlations between staff predictions and individual preferences (based on single stimulus assessment)
Green et al. (1988)

Question 8

•Paired-choice preference assessment

Answer 8

–when you need sensitive information on relative preferences among a large number of stimuli
–Most time consuming
–Likely to be most valid in predicting relative reinforcer value
–Most valid (according to DeLeon)

Question 9

Single stimulus PA

Answer 9

•Single-stimulus preference assessment

–best suited for individuals with very limited abilities whom may have difficulty scanning arrays

Question 10

Duration-based Preference Assessments

Answer 10

• Single-item presentation (how much time spent engaging when items are presented one at a time)
• Free operant assessment (how much time spent engaging with item in natural setting)
• Competing stimulus preference assessments (how much time spent engaging with item vs. engaging in problem behavior)
• Multiple stimulus duration-based methods likely to produce false negatives (i.e., subject interacts with some and not others)

Question 11

Verifying Preferences

Answer 11

Verifying Preferences
•Conduct participant/caregiver interviews (e.g., RAISD)
•Conduct systematic preference assessment
•Identify discrepancies and conduct reinforcer assessment to identify which stimuli are more effective reinforcers

Question 12

Reinforcer Assessments

Answer 12

• Preference assessments are purely predictive
• Preference assessments are conducted under extremely low effort requirements, often with simplistic responses
• Highly ranked preferences typically function effectively as reinforcers, but this should always be verified under conditions analogous to actual work arrangements

Question 13

Reinforcer assessment method- SINGLE OPERANT

Answer 13

•Single operant- One reinforcer at a time for a response, compare rates of behavior w/reinforcer, useful for measuring absolute reinforcer strength

Question 14

Reinforcer Assessment Methods- PROGRESSIVE RATIO

Answer 14

•Progressive-ratio- Reinforcement schedule in which the ratio requirements increase across successive “trials.” Session continues until the participant ceases to respond for predetermined amount of time (e.g., 5 min)

Question 15

Reinforcer assessment methods- CONCURRENT SCHEDULES

Answer 15

•Concurrent schedule- two responses with different reinforcers in direct competition; useful for comparing relative reinforcer strength

Question 16

Roscoe et al

Answer 16

Roscoe et al.
Generally, high, moderate, and low preference stimuli tend to have similarly ordered relative reinforcement rates, but absolute effects can be undifferentiated. That is, when stimuli are not competing against each other, they can be equally reinforcing.
Ex. Working for pay vs. working for beer

Question 17

Progressive Ratio Schedules

Answer 17

Provide information about HOW MUCH an individual will work as opposed to rate-based assessments that measure HOW FAST

Break point: The highest schedule requirement completed before responding ceases for criterion time

Question 18

Shifts in preferences

Answer 18

• Preferences are dynamic
• Changes in preferences often correspond to changes in reinforcer value
• Most highly preferred stimuli may be more stable
• Preferences for edible items tend to be more stable

Question 19

Measuring the Effects of Choice on Responding- SINGLE OPERANT ARRANGEMENT

Answer 19

•Single Operant Arrangements: Measure absolute reinforcer effectiveness (Does this stimulus correspond to increases in responding?)

Question 20

Measuring the Effects of choice on responding- CONCURRENT OPERANT ARRANGEMENT

Answer 20

•Concurrent Operant Arrangements: Measure relative reinforcer effectiveness and/or preference (Does this stimulus correspond to greater increases in responding than that stimulus?)