Methods for Aggregating Descriptive Assessment Data Prior to Conducting a Matching Analysis

Data collected from descriptive assessments of children’s behavior and caregiver responses can be summarized according to matching theory, which states that relative rates of responding match relative rates of reinforcement. The extent to which matching applies to descriptive assessment data can be evaluated by application of the generalized matching equation (GME). However, three limitations exist in previous applications of the GME: (a) the most appropriate method of aggregating the data is unclear, (b) consequences must be manipulated in order to determine reinforcement, and (c) individual differences in sensitivity can influence the results. This Capstone project addressed those three issues by comparing the results of a descriptive assessment and an experimental analysis fo