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Further evaluation of the multiple-stimulus preference assessment
T S Higbee1, J E Carr, C D Harrison
1Spectrum Center, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA. thigbee@spectrumcenter.org
Research in Developmental Disabilities
|April 6, 2000
Summary
Multiple-stimulus preference assessments are effective for identifying preferred stimuli. This study validated their use as reinforcers for individuals with severe or profound intellectual disabilities.
Area of Science:
- Behavior Analysis
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Intellectual Disability Research
Background:
- Previous research indicated multiple-stimulus preference assessments (MSPA) yield results comparable to paired-stimulus assessments.
- However, limited experimental validation exists for MSPAs, particularly with specific populations.
Observation:
- This study systematically extended previous findings by DeLeon and Iwata (1996).
- Brief MSPAs were conducted with nine participants diagnosed with severe or profound intellectual disability.
Findings:
- The most highly preferred stimuli, identified via MSPA, were delivered contingent on a target behavior.
- The top-ranked stimulus served as an effective reinforcer for 6 out of 9 participants.
Implications:
- These findings support the utility of MSPAs in applied settings for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Further research can explore the factors influencing reinforcer effectiveness identified through MSPAs.