Efficiency of forced choice preference assessment: Comparing multiple presentation techniques. Behavior Analyst Today

Determining effective reinforcers for individuals with disabilities is imperative for skill acquisition and behavior reduction. Various methodologies exist to determine reinforcer preference, and past research has shown that results vary across different techniques. The purpose of the current study was to assess which presentation methods were most efficient both in terms of time to complete the assessment and the identification of stimuli that functioned as reinforcers (i.e., strengthened responding). Six participants, aged 8-12 with autism and related disorders, demonstrated preferences of stimuli using different presentation methods. Researchers then made these stimuli contingent upon specific responses to determine which functioned as reinforcers. Presentation methods for four participants had similar results, suggesting that any presentation method can be utilized. Two participants had differing preference hierarchies. The high preference items of four participants were tested to see if highly chosen items functioned as reinforcers. High preference items functioned as a reinforcer for three of the four participants, regardless of presentation method