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Journal of applied behavior analysis
01, 2025;58 (1): 100-117.

Choice versus no choice: Practical considerations for increasing choices.

Ji Young Kim, Cody Morris, Megan E Ellsworth, Xiaoyuan Liu, Nicole F Seacord
Author Information
  1. Ji Young Kim: School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, USA. ORCID
  2. Cody Morris: Department of Psychology, Salve Regina University, Newport, RI, USA. ORCID
  3. Megan E Ellsworth: Department of Psychology, Salve Regina University, Newport, RI, USA. ORCID
  4. Xiaoyuan Liu: Health Studies & Applied Educational Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. ORCID
  5. Nicole F Seacord: School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, USA. ORCID
PMID: 39532823 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.2920

Abstract

Choice involves engaging in a selection response when multiple options are concurrently available. Choices can be incorporated into many components of behavior-analytic treatment such as providing clients with a choice between multiple items, activities, or tasks. We reviewed the main characteristics of 38 behavior-analytic articles that compared choice and no-choice conditions. We coded the experimental arrangements of choice and no-choice conditions and analyzed potential factors affecting preferences for choice and no choice. The findings suggest that the sizing of alternatives from which to choose, the timing of choice opportunities, and the timing of the delivery of the chosen option varied across the studies. Furthermore, preferences for choice shifted with differential reinforcement history and response effort manipulations of choice or no choice. The findings suggest that individual variables should be considered when providing choices, but more research is needed.

Keywords

choice concurrent chains concurrent operants no choice preference assessment

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MeSH Term

Choice Behavior
Humans
Reinforcement, Psychology
Behavior Therapy
Journal Article Review

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