ABA Glossary

By Dana Meller, M.A., BCBA
Edited by Tyra Sellers, J.D., Ph.D., BCBA-D
ABA Glossary by Dana Meller, M.A., BCBA, edited by Tyra Sellers, J.D., Ph.D., BCBA-D

Stimulus preference assessment

A collection of assessment activities used to identify preferred stimuli that are likely to function as reinforcers.

5th Edition Task List

F-5  Conduct preference assessments.

6th Edition TCO

F.4 Design and evaluate preference assessments.

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    How do you determine the relative preference of tested stimuli during trial-based preference assessments? PTB Founder Dana Meller breaks it down.
  • Single stimulus preference assessment
    A stimulus preference assessment in which the client is presented with one stimulus at a time; and the client’s response to each individual stimulus is recorded.
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    A stimulus preference assessment in which the client is presented with three or more stimuli at the same time, and the client’s choices are recorded.
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    A reinforcer assessment used to make an in-the-moment determination about potential reinforcers by examining a client’s affect/emotional response (e.g. laughing, smiling, neutral face, frowning, crying, etc.) and noting if there…
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    A stimulus preference assessment in which an assessor asks the client or relevant individuals about the client’s specific preferences or offers the client a pre-task choice from items identified as…
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