An evaluation of the value of choice-making opportunities in single-operant arrangements: simple fixed- and progressive-ratio schedules

J Appl Behav Anal. 2010 Fall;43(3):519-24. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2010.43-519.

Abstract

The current study compared the effects of choice and no-choice reinforcement conditions on the task responding of 3 children with autism across 2 single-operant paradigm reinforcer assessments. The first assessment employed simple fixed-ratio (FR) schedules; the second used progressive-ratio (PR) schedules. The latter assessment identified the differential strength of choice-making conditions in promoting task responding relative to no-choice conditions for 2 participants; no differential findings were obtained during the FR assessment.

Keywords: choice; fixed-ratio schedule; progressive-ratio schedule; reinforcer assessment.

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Choice Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Reinforcement Schedule*