rbt B.1 Preference Assessments

By RBThub February 23, 2026

Imagine I offer you a piece of broccoli. You might say "No." Does that mean you aren't hungry? No. It just means you don't prefer broccoli.

Now, imagine I offer you a choice: Broccoli or Chocolate? You pick the chocolate.
This is the heart of Preference Assessments. We don't guess what the client wants; we ask them. By forcing a choice between items, we can figure out exactly what motivates them to work.

Executive Summary

This video provides a deep dive into Paired Stimulus Preference Assessments (also called "Forced Choice"). This is the most accurate way to create a "hierarchy" of reinforcers. You will learn how to pit items against each other (1 vs 1) to find out what the learner really wants, and why you should never mix food and toys in the same assessment.

⏱️ Video Timeline

00:00
Forced Choice Method
Paired Stimulus is ideal for learners who can choose between two items but get overwhelmed by big groups of items.
01:03
Edibles vs. Tangibles
Research shows if you mix food and toys, kids usually pick food. To find out which toys they like, you must test toys separately.
01:36
Sampling
Before the test starts, let the client taste the food or play with the toy. They need to know what they are choosing!
02:10
Running the Trial
Present two items. Wait 3-5 seconds. If they grab one, let them have it. If they try to grab both, block and ask them to pick one.

🔑 Key Insights

Preference vs. Reinforcer: A preference is what they like. A reinforcer is what actually makes behavior increase. They are not always the same.
The "Hierarchy": Paired choice gives us a ranking (High, Medium, and Low preference).
Don't Mix Categories: Run one assessment for snacks, and a different one for toys.
Sampling is Key: You wouldn't order food from a menu without knowing what it tastes like. Let the client sample first.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if the client tries to grab both items?
A: Block gently and represent the items. Say, "Pick one." We need a clear choice to get data.
Q: How many pairs do I need to run?
A: Every item must be paired with every other item. If you have 5 items, that is 10 trials. If you have 16 items, that is 120 trials! (Plan accordingly).

1. Paired Stimulus (Forced Choice)

Definition: Presenting two items simultaneously and asking the learner to choose one.
The "Tournament" Style: Think of it like a sports bracket. Team A plays Team B. Team A plays Team C. Team B plays Team C. By the end, you know exactly who the winner is.
Item A VS Item B Learner Chooses A
Clinical Example

You put a Ball and a Car on the table. The child grabs the Ball. You record "Ball selected." Next trial: You put the Ball and a Doll on the table. The child grabs the Ball again. Conclusion: The Ball is highly preferred.

2. Other Assessment Types (Cheat Sheet)

While the video focused on Paired Stimulus, you need to know these for the exam too:
Single Stimulus:
Give one item at a time. Do they play with it? Good for clients who can't choose between two items.
MSWO (Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement):
Put 5 items in a line. Client picks one. Remove that item. Mix up the remaining 4. Client picks again. This creates a quick ranking.

3. The "Sampling" Rule

Critical Step

Never skip sampling. Before the assessment begins, let the child eat a tiny piece of the candy or hold the toy for 30 seconds. If they don't know what the item is, they won't choose it, and your data will be wrong.

📝 Knowledge Check

Can you identify the assessment?

Q1: You present a cookie and a toy car. You tell the client "Pick one." Which assessment is this?

Answer: Paired Stimulus (Forced Choice).
You are forcing a choice between two specific items.

Q2: Why should you generally NOT mix food and toys in the same assessment?

Answer: Food bias.
Most children will pick food over toys every time. This hides their toy preferences. Run two separate assessments.
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Assessment Quiz

Mock Exam

Test your knowledge on Paired Choice, MSWO, and Single Stimulus.

Start Practice Test

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