Richard B. Graff, Lenwood Gibson, & G. Tracey Galiatsatos. (2006)
The impact of high- and low-preference stimuli on vocational and academic
performances of youths with severe disabilities.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
39, 131-135.
Pictorial and tangible paired-stimulus preference assessments were compared
with 4 adolescents with developmental disabilities. In the tangible assessment,
two stimuli were placed in front of the participant on each trial; in the
pictorial assessment, two line drawings were placed in front of the participant
on each trial. Approach responses were recorded for each assessment. The
assessments generated similar preference hierarchies for all participants.
Reinforcer assessments confirmed that response rates were higher when access
to high-preference items was available than when low-preference items were
available. Implications for assessing preferences and selecting items to be
used in training programs are discussed.
DESCRIPTORS: pictures, preference assessment, reinforcer assessment