Date of Award
Spring 4-27-2023
Thesis Type
Open Access
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science
Department
Health Professions
Committee Member(s)
Stephanie Trauschke, Psy.D., BCBA-D
Kara Wunderlich, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Morgan Kissenberth, MA, BCBA
Supervising Faculty Member
Morgan Kissenberth, MA, BCBA
Abstract
This research assessed the effects of manipulating choice of edible items by increasing choice of nutrient-dense items and restricting choice of calorie-dense items on skill acquisition. A preference assessment was utilized to identify the top three preferred nutrient-dense and calorie-dense food items. Participants were then exposed to four different conditions in which their preferred edible items were delivered as reinforcers following skill acquisition targets to compare skill acquisition rates between the following reinforcers: nutrient-dense food items with choice, nutrient-dense food items without choice, and calorie-dense food items without choice. The study also evaluated preference for choice. The results showed two out of the three participants acquired skills at an equal rate comparing nutrient-dense edible reinforcers to calorie-dense edible reinforcers. There was also no clear preference for choice among the participants.
Recommended Citation
Beaujour, Gabriela M., "An Evaluation of the Effects of Reinforcer Choice on Nutrient-Dense and Calorie-Dense Edible Reinforcers" (2023). Thesis Projects. 54.
https://scholarship.rollins.edu/mabacs_thesis/54
Rights Holder
Gabriela Beaujour
