providing free access to a variety of stimuli for the purposes of identifying potential reinforcers is best described by which of the following?
LectureNotes said providing free access to a variety of stimuli for the purposes of identifying potential reinforcers is best described by which of the following?
Answer:
The concept of providing free access to a variety of stimuli to identify potential reinforcers is best described by the term “preference assessment.” Preference assessments are used extensively in applied behavior analysis (ABA) to determine which stimuli or activities an individual prefers, and which can then be used as effective reinforcers to increase desired behaviors.
Types of Preference Assessments
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Free Operant Observation:
- In this method, an individual has free access to various items or activities, and observers record which items or activities are engaged with and for how long. This method helps identify the most preferred items based on the time spent interacting with them.
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Single Stimulus (Successive Choice):
- Each item is presented to the individual one at a time, and their reaction to each item is recorded. This helps determine the level of interest in each stimulus.
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Paired Stimulus (Forced Choice):
- Two items are presented simultaneously, and the individual must choose one. This process is repeated with various pairs to create a hierarchy of preferences.
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Multiple Stimulus with Replacement (MSW):
- Multiple items are presented at once, and the individual selects one. The selected item is then returned to the array, and the process repeats to determine consistent preferences.
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Multiple Stimulus without Replacement (MSWO):
- Similar to MSW, but once an item is chosen, it is not returned to the array, which helps establish a rank order of preferences.
Final Answer:
The term best describing the process of providing free access to various stimuli to identify potential reinforcers is “preference assessment.”