Examination of ambiguous stimulus preferences with duration-based measures.

DeLeon, I.G., Iwata, B.A., Conners, J. & Wallace, M.D. (1999). Examination of ambiguous stimulus preferences with duration-based measures. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 111-114.

Items that produced ambiguous results in an approach-based preference assessment were reassessed using a duration-based assessment. The reinforcing effects of three items on free-operant responding were subsequently tested. The results suggested that the duration- based assessment produced slightly more differentiated results and that predictions about reinforcer value, based on this assessment, were accurate.

DESCRIPTORS: stimulus preference, reinforcer assessment, developmental disabilities