Further evaluation of the multiple-stimulus preference assessment.

Previously researchers have shown that multiple-stimulus preference assessments can produce results comparable to those achieved using the paired-stimulus presentation format. However, extensive experimental validation of this procedure has not yet been accomplished. The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic extension of a study reported by DeLeon and Iwata (1996). We conducted brief stimulus preference assessments with nine participants diagnosed with severe or profound mental retardation. The highest ranked stimuli were then delivered contingent on a target behavior in a multielement format. The stimulus identified as most highly preferred functioned as a reinforcer in six of the nine participants. The results of this study are discussed in the context of current stimulus preference assessment findings.