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Updated: May 26, 2026

Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats
Published on: March 17, 2019
Evaluation of the rate of problem behavior maintained by different reinforcers across preference assessments
Soyeon Kang1, Mark F O'Reilly, Christina L Fragale
1The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA. soyeon.caleb@gmail.com
Abstract:
The rates of problem behavior maintained by different reinforcers were evaluated across 3 preference assessment formats (i.e., paired stimulus, multiple-stimulus without replacement, and free operant). The experimenter administered each assessment format 5 times in a random order for 7 children with developmental disabilities whose problem behavior was maintained by attention, tangible items, or escape. Results demonstrated different effects related to the occurrence of problem behavior, suggesting an interaction between function of problem behavior and assessment format. Implications for practitioners are discussed with respect to assessing preferences of individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibit problem behavior.
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