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Related Experiment Videos

Some determinants of changes in preference over time.

Gregory P Hanley1, Brian A Iwata, Eileen M Roscoe

  • 1Applied Behavioral Science Department, 1000 Sunnyside Ave., University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA. ghanley@ku.edu

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|July 4, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Preference stability for leisure activities was assessed in adults with developmental disabilities. Environmental manipulations systematically altered preferences, suggesting conditioning influences temporal shifts in what individuals like.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral psychology
  • Developmental disabilities research

Background:

  • Longitudinal studies indicate variable preference stability across individuals.
  • Understanding determinants of preference shifts is crucial for interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess preference stability for leisure activities in adults with developmental disabilities over 3-6 months.
  • To investigate environmental determinants of preference changes through systematic manipulations.

Main Methods:

  • Periodic preference assessments were conducted with 10 adults with developmental disabilities.
  • Preference-weakening (extended access to high-preference items) and preference-strengthening (pairing low-preference items with reinforcers) manipulations were applied.
  • Preference assessments continued during manipulations for 2 participants.

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Main Results:

  • Preferences were relatively stable for 80% of participants.
  • Systematic changes in preference were observed following environmental manipulations.
  • Findings suggest establishing operations and conditioning histories influence temporal preference shifts.

Conclusions:

  • Preference stability is higher than previously suggested for this population.
  • Environmental factors can systematically alter leisure activity preferences.
  • Results inform preference assessments, reinforcer selection, and preference modification strategies.