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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

A System for Tracking the Dynamics of Social Preference Behavior in Small Rodents
Published on: November 21, 2019
Does preference rank predict substitution for the reinforcer for problem behavior? a behavioral economic analysis
Michelle A Frank-Crawford1, Mariana I Castillo1, Iser G DeLeon2
1The Kennedy Krieger Institute and University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Abstract:
Predictions made under low response requirements inherent in most preference assessments (PAs) do not guarantee the utility of stimuli in treatments. We examined whether PA rank would predict how well stimuli supported compliance for children with escape-maintained problem behavior by examining the relation between PA rank and demand elasticity across five fixed-ratio values. Three patterns were observed: All stimuli were selected equally across values, higher ranked stimuli were selected more at higher values, and something other than the highest ranked stimulus was selected more at higher values (i.e., mixed correspondence).
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