The Impact of Stimulus Presentation and Size on Preference
James W Moore1, Keith C Radley1, Evan H Dart1
1Applied Behavior Analysis Program, Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive, Box 5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 USA.
Behavior Analysis in Practice
|June 21, 2017
Summary
Investigating stimulus presentation in preference assessments revealed that while top choices remained consistent, the ranking of less preferred items varied between uniform and caregiver-reported magnitudes. This impacts reinforcer selection accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Applied behavior analysis
- Preference assessment methodology
Background:
- Preference assessments are crucial for identifying effective reinforcers in applied behavior analysis.
- The presentation of stimuli, including their magnitude and visual characteristics, can influence participant choice.
- Understanding how variations in stimulus presentation affect preference rankings is essential for accurate assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of stimulus size and presentation method on choices made during preference assessments.
- To compare the outcomes of a modified multiple-stimulus without replacement (MSWO) technique using uniform stimulus magnitude versus caregiver-reported consumption data.
- To determine the reliability of preference rankings under different stimulus presentation conditions.
Main Methods:
- A modified multiple-stimulus without replacement (MSWO) procedure was employed.
- Stimuli were presented either with uniform magnitude (by mass) or in a manner reflecting caregiver-reported consumption.
- Preference rankings were generated and compared between the two presentation conditions.
Main Results:
- Both assessment methods identified the same top three preferred items in 60% of cases (3 out of 5).
- Greater variability was observed in the preference rank of less preferred items between the uniform magnitude and caregiver-reported consumption conditions.
- The findings suggest that stimulus presentation significantly influences the relative ranking of non-top items.
Conclusions:
- The method of stimulus presentation, specifically magnitude and its relation to consumption, can affect the precision of preference assessments.
- While top preferences may be robust, the ranking of lower-preference items is more susceptible to variations in stimulus presentation.
- Caregivers should consider stimulus presentation variables when conducting or interpreting preference assessments to ensure accurate reinforcer selection.
