Piazza, C. C., Fisher, W. W., Hanley, G. P., Hilker, K., & Derby, K. M. (1996).
A preliminary procedure for predicting the positive and negative effects of reinforcement-based procedures.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
29, 137-152.
In the current investigation, a modification was made to the
preference assessment described by Pace, Ivancic, Edwards, Iwata,
and Page (1985) to predict the effects of stimuli when used in a
differential-reinforcement-of-other-behavior (DRO) schedule for 2
clients with severe self-injurious behavior (SIB) and profound
mental retardation. Based on the results of the preference
assessment, three types of stimuli were identified: (a)
high-preference stimuli associated with high rates of SIB
(HP/HS), (b) high-preference stimuli associated with relatively
lower rates of SIB (HP/LS), and (c) low-preference stimuli
associated with low rates of SIB (LP/LS). Consistent with the
results of the preference assessment, the DRO schedule with HP/HS
stimuli resulted in increased SIB, and the DRO schedule with
LP/LS stimuli resulted in no changes in SIB. HP/LS stimuli were
demonstrated reinforcers but did not result in a change in SIB
when used in a DRO schedule. Thus, the stimulus preference
assessment may be useful clinically in some situations for
predicting both the beneficial and the negative side effects of
stimuli in DRO procedures.
DESCRIPTORS: developmental disabilities, differential
reinforcement of other behavior, negative side effects,
preference, reinforcement, self-injurious behavior