Discovering Preferred Reinforcers: The Power of Formal Preference Assessments

What is the process of having a learner select preferred items before teaching known as?

a. Formal preference assessments

b. Free Operant Preference Assessment

c. Paired stimulus preference assessment

d. Multiple stimulus preference assessment

The process of having a learner select preferred items before teaching is known as what?

Having a learner select which items they like prior to teaching following a systematic protocol to identify the hierarchy of potential preferences is known as formal preference assessments. The correct option is a. Formal preference assessments.

Formal preference assessments are procedures for identifying a hierarchy of potential preferences that include a systematized protocol to ensure that assessments are performed in a standardized manner across multiple people, settings, and products. These assessments are used to determine which items or activities are preferred by an individual, allowing researchers to identify suitable stimuli for use as reinforcers for subsequent learning.

The process of formal preference assessments includes the following steps:

1. Identification of the student's preferred activities to increase motivation.

2. Assessment of the student's preferred activities to rank the items in order of preference.

3. Developing a reinforcement schedule that incorporates the student's preferred activities to increase the likelihood of skill acquisition.

Formal preference assessments are crucial in developing effective reinforcement schedules to enhance learner motivation, identify potential reinforcers, and create successful behavior intervention plans. By using formal preference assessments, teaching staff can increase motivation, decrease inappropriate behavior patterns, and facilitate rapid reinforcement delivery.