EFFECTS OF REINFORCEMENT CHOICE ON TASK RESPONDING IN INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES

The effects of reinforcement choice on task performance were examined with 6 individuals who had been diagnosed with severe to profound ment al retardation. Five highly preferred items were identified for each p articipant via stimulus preference assessments. Participants then were exposed to choice and no-choice conditions that were alternated withi n reversal and multielement designs. During choice sessions, participa nts were permitted to select between two preferred stimuli contingent on responding. During no-choice sessions, the therapist delivered a si ngle item contingent on responding. Preference for the stimuli was hel d constant across conditions by yoking the items delivered during no-c hoice sessions to those selected during the immediately preceding choi ce sessions. All participants exhibited similar rates of responding ac ross choice and no-choice conditions. These findings indicate that for individuals with severe disabilities, access to choice may not improv e task performance when highly preferred items are already incorporate d into instructional programs.