A Paired StimulusStimulus is defined as any change in the environment or... Preference Assessment (PSPA) is a method used in AppliedApplied means that the behaviors targeted for change in... BehaviorBehavior refers to any activity or action that living o... Analysis (ABA) to identify an individual’s preferred items or activities by presenting two stimuli at a time and recording which one the individual chooses. This procedure allows practitioners to create a hierarchy of preferred items, which can be used as reinforcers in behavior modification programs. The paired stimulus preference assessment helps ensure that the selected reinforcers are motivating and effectiveEffective refers to one of the seven dimensions of ... for the individual.
Example
In a paired choiceIn Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), choice refers to providi... preference assessment, a therapist is working with a 7-year-old child named Mia to identify what items or activities are most motivating for her during therapy sessions. The therapist selects six potential stimuli: a stuffed animal, a piece of candy, a coloring book, a fidget spinner, a tablet for watching videos, and a puzzle. The therapist presents two items at a time, such as the stuffed animal and the candy, and asks Mia to choose one. Mia selects the candy, which is recorded. The therapist continues to present all possible pairs of items, and Mia consistently chooses the candy and tablet over other options. After the assessment, the therapist analyzes the data, finding that Mia chose the candy 5 times and the tablet 4 times, making these her most preferred items. These items are then used as reinforcers in future therapy sessions to increase Mia’s participation and engagement.
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