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An Examination of Behavioral History Effects on Preference for Choice in Elementary Students

Haberlin, Alayna T.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282061359

Abstract Details

2010, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, EDU Physical Activity and Educational Services.
The current investigation examined the effects of behavioral history on elementary students’ preference for making a choice in two studies. Previous research on choice has focused on the arrangement of current contingencies and has not accounted for the effects of behavioral history. Study 1 examined participants’ preference for two options (i.e., two math problems) or one option (i.e., one math problem) conditions based on prior exposure to certain option conditions. During baseline, participants were allowed to choose to complete math problems in either the two or one option condition. During the history building condition, participants were exposed to either two options, one option, or a mixed condition (alternating between two and one option conditions). The subsequent return to baseline assessed behavioral history effects on preference for choice. The results of Study 1 indicated that behavioral history did not affect the preference for choice for 4 of the 6 participants. For 2 participants, behavioral history effects were possible; however, responding was variable across sessions and across replication of the conditions. Study 2 assessed the effects of behavioral history on selection of a reinforcer. Experimental conditions were set up similar to Study 1. During baseline, participants were able to choose math problems to complete that resulted in the participant selecting the reinforcer or the experimenter selecting the reinforcer. During the history building condition, participants were exposed to either the participant selects the reinforcer, the experimenter selects the reinforcer, or a mixed condition (alternating between the participant or experimenter selecting the reinforcer). The subsequent return to baseline assessed behavioral history effects on preference for who selected the reinforcers. The results from Study 2 indicated that preference for selection of the reinforcer was highly individualized. Study 2 was not able to adequately control for the influence of confounding variables. The lack of experimental control resulted in either no or minimal effects of behavior history on preference for selection of a reinforcer.
Nancy Neef, PhD (Advisor)
Helen Malone, PhD (Committee Member)
Ralph Gardner, III, PhD (Committee Member)
160 p.
Behaviorial Sciences; Education; Educational Psychology; Special Education
Behavioral history; preference; choice; free or forced choice; academic tasks; reinforcers

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Haberlin, A. T. (2010). An Examination of Behavioral History Effects on Preference for Choice in Elementary Students [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282061359

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Haberlin, Alayna. An Examination of Behavioral History Effects on Preference for Choice in Elementary Students. 2010. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282061359.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Haberlin, Alayna. "An Examination of Behavioral History Effects on Preference for Choice in Elementary Students." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282061359

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1282061359
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.