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ANTECEDENT EFFECTS OF OBSERVING PEER PLAY
Author(s) -
Bruzek Jennifer L.,
Thompson Rachel H.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied behavior analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1938-3703
pISSN - 0021-8855
DOI - 10.1901/jaba.2007.102-06
Subject(s) - psychology , reinforcement , preference , stimulus (psychology) , developmental psychology , antecedent (behavioral psychology) , social psychology , cognitive psychology , statistics , mathematics
The relative reinforcing value of toys was assessed in the absence of, and immediately following, participant observation of a peer manipulating one of the toys. Preference assessments were used to identify preference hierarchies. Reinforcer assessments were conducted with a high‐preference item, a low‐preference item, and a control. Each participant allocated responding toward the high‐preference item during baseline. When reinforcer assessment sessions were preceded by a peer observation period, 3 of the 4 participants shifted allocation to the toy manipulated by the peer. The 4th participant shifted allocation only when the high‐preference stimulus was replaced with a medium‐preference stimulus. These data suggest that, among preschoolers, response allocation is influenced by observations of peers playing.