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Published on: March 17, 2019
Effects of increased response effort and reinforcer delay on choice and aberrant behavior
Michelle M Gwinn1, K Mark Derby, Wayne Fisher
1Gonzaga University.
Abstract:
A four-phase investigation was completed to analyze the utility of forced-choice preference assessments when response effort and reinforcer delays are altered within a subsequent reinforcer assessment. The results indicated that access to highly preferred stimuli continued to serve as a reinforcer when increased response effort was required. When reinforcer delay was increased, the utility of preferred stimuli to serve as a reinforcer was variable. Despite stimuli continuing to serve as reinforcers for academic task engagement, increased response effort and reinforcer delay resulted in an increased level of aberrant behavior.
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