Consideration of Reinforcer Magnitude with Respect to Preference and Reinforcer Assessment Outcomes

This study examined the correspondence between preference for systematically differing magnitudes of edible stimuli and relative progressive ratio (PR) breakpoints. A primary MSWO preference assessment was used to rank eight different edible items. Next, a secondary MSWO preference assessment determined preference for 0.5, 2, and 10 g of HP and LP items. Following a baseline phase, 0.5, 2, and 10 g of both the HP and LP items (i.e., six stimuli total) were tested individually under PR reinforcer assessment administrations. In contrast to previous research, there was not a direct correspondence between preference and PR breakpoints. In addition, HP stimuli did not consistently produce higher breakpoints when compared to LP stimuli, irrespective of magnitude.