Jared Jerome & Peter Sturmey.
Reinforcing efficacy of interactions with preferred and nonpreferred staff under progressive-ratio schedules.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2008,
41, 221-225.
Research has not systematically assessed and validated preferences
for staff in adults with developmental disabilities. Three adults with
developmental disabilities (aged 32 to 43 years) identified preferred
and nonpreferred staff using verbal and pictorial preference assessments.
During break-point analyses with progressive-ratio schedules,
all 3 had higher break points when working for positive social
interaction with their preferred staff mamber than with their
nonpreferred staff member.
DESCRIPTORS: adults with developmental disabilities, progressive-ratio schedules, preference