Paired‐Stimulus Preference Assessment and Synchronous Schedules to Determine Reinforcer Effectiveness of Videos

ABSTRACT We developed and evaluated a novel web‐based stimulus preference assessment program. The program was designed with the paired‐stimulus (PS) assessment methodology and specifically built with the capabilities to assess preferences for video content. As an initial demonstration, we assessed the program with 15 college‐age participants. The program identified robust preference hierarchies for 14 of 15 participants. We then used a web‐based reinforcer assessment program to determine the predictive validity of the PS program. The reinforcer assessment program displayed three video options (high preferred, low preferred, control) in a concurrent‐chains arrangement, and video access was programmed using synchronous schedules of reinforcement. Thirteen of 15 participants allocated their responses to access their high‐preferred videos during the assessment, providing support for the predictive value of the PS program. We discuss the PS program, its limitations, and areas for future research.