A Multiple StimulusStimulus is defined as any change in the environment or form of energy that affects an organism’s behavior or physiological state. Stimuli can be external or internal, and they can el... More without Replacement (MSWO) Preference Assessment is a method used in AppliedApplied means that the behaviors targeted for change in ABA are important and meaningful in everyday life, helping to improve the person’s quality of life or social functioning. Example A ... More BehaviorBehavior refers to any activity or action that living organisms engage in, which can be observed, measured, and analyzed. It encompasses all interactions an organism has with its environment, inc... More Analysis (ABA) to identify an individual’s most preferred items by presenting an array of stimuli (typically 3-7 items) at once and allowing the individual to select one. After an item is chosen, it is removed from the array, and the remaining items are presented again in subsequent trials. This continues until all items have been selected or the individual chooses to stop. The frequencyIn Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), frequency refers to the number of times a specific behavior occurs during a given observation period. This is a basic measurement that tracks how often a behavior h... More and order of selection are recorded to establish a hierarchy of preferences.
Example
A behavior analyst is conducting an MSWO preference assessment with a child named Sarah to identify preferred items that could be used as reinforcers during therapy sessions. The analyst selects five items: a puzzle, a stuffed animal, a toy car, a ball, and a piece of candy. All five items are presented to Sarah at once, and she chooses the piece of candy. The candy is then removed from the array, and the remaining four items are presented. In the next round, Sarah chooses the stuffed animal, which is then removed. This process continues until all items have been chosen or Sarah shows no interest in the remaining items. After several trials, it becomes clear that Sarah prefers the candy and stuffed animal the most, while the puzzle and ball are less preferred. The analyst uses this information to create a reinforcementReinforcement is a fundamental concept in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and behavioral psychology. It refers to any consequence that follows a behavior and increases the likelihood that the behavior... More plan that includes Sarah’s highest-preferred items.