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Effects of reinforcer magnitude and distribution on preference for work schedules
John C Ward-Horner1, Alexis Pittenger, Gary Pace
1Beacon ABA Services, Inc. and May Center for Education and Neurorehabilitation.
Abstract:
When the overall magnitude of reinforcement is matched between 2 alternative work schedules, some students prefer to complete all of their work for continuous access to a reinforcer (continuous work) rather than distributed access to a reinforcer while they work (discontinuous work). We evaluated a student's preference for continuous work by manipulating the overall magnitude of reinforcement associated with continuous work. Preference for continuous work persisted despite a 20% decrease in reinforcer magnitude; however, a 40% decrease in reinforcer magnitude produced a shift in preference to discontinuous work.
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