A Comparison of Forced-Choice Preference Assessment Procedures Using a Parent and Novel Therapist

Abstract

Forced-choice preference assessments have been found to identify reinforcers. However, the utility of this procedure to identify similar reinforcers when conducted by different individuals is unknown. This investigation sought to determine whether a child's parent and a novel individual delivering the stimuli would yield the same results within forced-choice preference and subsequent reinforcer assessment procedures. During the forced-choice preference assessments, the child chose the same items. However, when the utility of these items as reinforcers was evaluated, different outcomes were found. The child chose to work for immediate reinforcers when the parent served as the therapist and to work for delayed rewards when a novel therapist was employed. The clinical significance of these outcomes is discussed.