Effects of increased response effort and reinforcer delay on choice and aberrant behavior
- Michelle M. Gwinnc, e(Author),
- ,
- Wayne Fisherb(Author),
- Patricia Kurtzb, d(Author),
- Angela Fahsb(Author),
- Mary Augustineb(Author)
- ,
- bJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
- cSpokane School District,
- dKennedy Krieger Institute,
- eUnknown name
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review
Abstract
A four-phase investigation was completed to analyze the utility of forced-choice preference assessments when response effort and reinforcer delays are altered within a subsequent reinforcer assessment. The results indicated that access to highly preferred stimuli continued to serve as a reinforcer when increased response effort was required. When reinforcer delay was increased, the utility of preferred stimuli to serve as a reinforcer was variable. Despite stimuli continuing to serve as reinforcers for academic task engagement, increased response effort and reinforcer delay resulted in an increased level of aberrant behavior.