Jeffrey H. Tiger, Gregory P. Hanley, & Emma Hernandez (2006).
An evaluation of the value of choice with preschool children.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
39, 1-16.
The current study examined the reinforcing effects of choosing among alternatives
in a four-part evaluation. In the first study, initial-link responses in a
concurrent-chains arrangement resulted in access to terminal links in which
the completion of an academic task resulted in (a) the choice of a reinforcer
(choice), (b) the delivery of an identical reinforcer (no choice), or (c)
no material reinforcer (control). Three patterns of responding emerged:
persistent preference for choice (3 participants); initial preference for
choice, which did not persist (2 participants); and preference for no choice
(1 participant). Additional evaluations determined if preference for choice
could be enhanced (Study 2) or established (Study 3) by including more stimuli
from which to choose. Choice-link selections systematically increased for all
participants when more items were available from which to choose. Study 4
identified the precise value of the opportunity to choose by progressively
increasing the response requirement during the choice terminal links for 3
children and determining the point at which these children stopped selecting the
choice link. All children continued to select the choice link even when the
work required in the choice link was much greater than that arranged in the
no-choice link.
DESCRIPTORS: choice, concurrent-chains arrangement, preference,
preschool children, reinforcer assessment, reinforcer value