Hanley, G. P., Iwata, B. A., & Lindberg, J. S. (1999).
Analysis of activity preferences as a function of differential consequences.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
32, 419-435.
Individuals who do not possess the verbal skills to express
meaningful choice in the absence of its consequences may have
difficulty indicating their preference for protracted activities
that are unavailable until some time in the future (e.g., taking
a walk, riding a bike). When we examined the preferences of 4
individuals with developmental disabilities by showing them
pictorial representations of various activities, their initial
choices showed no clear preferences. In a subsequent condition,
selecting a photograph resulted in brief access to the depicted
activity. When selections produced differential consequences
(i.e., access to the activity), clear preferences emerged. In
addition, 3 individuals' preferences were later shifted to an
initially less preferred but more socially desirable option by
superimposing additional reinforcement contingencies for engaging
in the less preferred activity. Results are discussed in terms of
the conditions under which choice functions as an indicator of
preference and how those conditions may be altered to improve the
quality of choice making without limiting access to preferred
options.
DESCRIPTORS: choice, client rights, preference, reinforcer
assessment