ASSESSMENT OF PREFERENCE FOR VARIED VERSUS CONSTANT REINFORCERS

One method that has been demonstrated ro improve the effectiveness of reinforcement is stimulus (reinforcer) variation (Egel, 1980). Egel fo und that bar pressing increased and responding occurred more rapidly d uring varied reinforcement than during constant reinforcement when ide ntical stimuli were used across phases for 10 individuals with autism. The purpose of the current investigation was to assess the preference s of 7 individuals for varied presentation of slightly lower quality s timuli relative to constant access to the highest quality stimulus. Va ried presentation was preferred. over constant reinforcer presentation with 4 participants, and the opposite was true for 2 participants. On e participant did not demonstrate a preference. These results suggest that stimulus variation may allow less preferred reinforcers to compet e effectively with a more highly preferred reinforcer for some individ uals.