Dissertation Defenses

Doctoral Dissertation Announcement

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Candidate: Amanda M. Karsten

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Psychology

Title: Evaluation of a Progressive Model for Identifying Preferred Stimuli for Children with Developmental Disabilities

Committee:
Dr. James Carr, Chair
Dr. Linda LeBlanc
Dr. John Austin
Dr. Henry Roane

Date: Friday, June 27, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1509 Wood Hall

Abstract:
A variety of methods for identifying stimuli likely to function as reinforcers for individuals with developmental disabilities are well documented in the empirical literature. Research has demonstrated that these methods differ along many dimensions, including time requirements for implementation and probability of identifying a hierarchy of relative preferences. Some methods are also more conducive to use with individuals who exhibit problem behavior and certain prerequisite skills. Implementation of ineffective or unnecessarily lengthy procedures may result in insufficient or inaccurate preference assessment results and loss of valuable treatment time. The purpose of the current investigation was to evaluate a progressive model for conducting preference assessments so that clinicians may approach the selection of methodologies systematically and to a useful outcome. A concurrent-operant reinforcer evaluation was used to test the predictive validity of assessment findings. Based on 17 participants completed to date, the majority (i.e., 76% of all participants) progressed to reinforcer evaluation following the initial multiple-stimulus without replacement (MSWO) assessment. The free-operant method was the second most commonly implemented approach (i.e., 18% of all participants). Subsequent reinforcer evaluations confirmed assessment findings in all but two cases. Results from the investigation are discussed in terms of the utility of this particular model and possibilities for the application of alternative algorithms to behavior analytic technologies.