Parametric analysis of presession exposure to edible and nonedible stimuli

• Main Author: Sy, Jolene R.
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholarly Commons 2008
• Subjects: Behavioral psychology; Psychology
• Online Access: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2644; https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3643&context=uop_etds

I conducted a parametric evaluation of presession exposure to edible and nonedible reinforcers in order to determine the effects of “small,” “medium,” and “large” periods of presession access on response rates during sessions immediately following these periods. For 2 participants, presession access to edible and nonedible reinforcers for “small,” “medium,” and “large” durations decreased the reinforcing efficacy of those stimuli. For the remaining 2 participants, presession access to edible and nonedible reinforcers either maintained or increased the reinforcing efficacy of those stimuli. The results suggest that presession access to edible or nonedible reinforcers has idiosyncratic effects across individuals. Additionally, the results suggest that minimal differences exist between rates of responding after “small,” “medium,” and “large” periods of presession access, using the values assessed in the current study.