Comparison of variables related to the effectiveness of and preference for choice

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of and preference for choice during a response-acquisition tasks with children who have a developmental disability. The conditions compared involved (a) delivery of a high-preferred item identified at the start of the study (high preferred), (b) delivery of a high-preferred item identified immediately prior to each session (pre-session), (c) delivery of a high-preferred item identified immediately following each session (post-session), and (d) no delivery of a high-preferred item (control). The results regarding effectiveness were inconclusive due to high levels of responding during the control condition. The results regarding choice showed both participants preferred the pre-session choice condition, and one participant also preferred the high-preferred condition