Bowman, L. G., Piazza, C. C., Fisher, W. W., Hagopian, L. P., & Kogan, J. S. (1997).
Assessment of preference for varied versus constant reinforcers.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
30, 451-458.
One method that has been demonstrated to improve the
effectiveness of reinforcement is stimulus (reinforcer) variation
(Egel, 1980). Egel found that bar pressing increased and
responding occurred more rapidly during varied reinforcement than
during constant reinforcement when identical stimuli were used
across phases for 10 individuals with autism. The purpose of the
current investigation was to assess the preferences of 7
individuals for varied presentation of slightly lower quality
stimuli relative to constant access to the highest quality
stimulus. Varied presentation was preferred over constant
reinforcer presentation with 4 participants, and the opposite was
true for 2 participants. One participant did not demonstrate a
preference. These results suggest that stimulus variation may
allow less preferred reinforcers to compete effectively with a
more highly preferred reinforcer for some individuals.
DESCRIPTORS: reinforcer assessment, paired choice, stimulus
variation, concurrent operants