title: A comparison between traditional economical and demand curve analyses of relative reinforcer efficacy in the validation of preference assessment predictions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This single-case study examined the degree to which three formal preference assessments (i.e. paired-stimulus, multiple-stimulus without replacement and a free-operant procedure) successfully identified reinforcers from six edibles in a subsequent reinforcement assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Economical analyses were conducted on the entire hierarchy of low-, moderate- and high-preferred edibles using both traditional (i.e. progressive-ratio breakpoint) and demand curve (P(max)) accounts of reinforcer efficacy with the data obtained from three reinforcement assessment sessions for each edible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Across all three preference assessment types, accuracy in the identification of the top three reinforcers was 67%. The correlation between the traditional and demand curve metrics was highly significant, replicating previous research on the substitutability of these analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Moderate-preferred stimuli may serve as efficacious reinforcers in subsequent reinforcer assessments. Additionally, demand curve analyses can contribute to the assessment of reinforcer efficacy and subsequently the validation of preference assessments.
authors.affiliation: May Institute, Randolph, MA, USA. dreed@melmarkne.org
authors.forename: Derek D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: James K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Luiselli
authors.forename: Jennifer D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Magnuson
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fillers
authors.forename: Shawn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Hanna C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Rue
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D054928:Validation Studies as Topic; D055815:Young Adult