ERIC Number: EJ754157
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Jun
Pages: 14
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1547-0350
EISSN: N/A
Evaluation of Contextual Variability in Prediction of Reinforcer Effectiveness
Pino, Olimpia; Dazzi, Carla
Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, v40 n2 p117-130 Jun 2005
Previous research has shown that stimulus preference assessments based on caregiver-opinion did not coincide with results of a more systematic method of assessing reinforcing value unless stimuli that were assessed to represent preferences were also preferred on paired stimulus presentation format, and that the relative preference based on the results of a choice assessment using a concurrent operants paradigm predicts relative reinforcer effectiveness. However, it is not clear whether preference varies under different environmental conditions influencing effectiveness of reinforcement. In the current study, we attempted to address this question by categorizing stimuli as context-dependent and context-independent based on results of preference assessment, and then compared their reinforcing effectiveness in different contexts (home vs. structure of rehabilitation). Independent stimuli, when compared to dependent ones, were more effective in increasing target responses in both contexts. Dependent stimuli consistently functioned as reinforcers only in their corresponding context. These results suggest that establishing operation can be used to predict reinforcing value of various stimuli, which, in turn, may help to improve clinical change. (Contains 1 table and 4 figures.)
Descriptors: Stimuli, Positive Reinforcement, Context Effect, Predictor Variables, Responses, Behavior Change, Rehabilitation, Mental Retardation, Caregiver Attitudes, Child Caregivers, Children, Experiments, Statistical Analysis, Measurement Techniques
Division on Developmental Disabilities, Council for Exceptional Children. DDD, PO Box 3512, Fayetteville, AR 72702. Tel: 479-575-3326; Fax: 479-575-6676; Web site: http://www.dddcec.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A