Which method requires presenting potential reinforcers in pairs and controlling for positional bias with counter-balancing?

• A. Paired Choice
• B. Preference Assessments
• C. FAST
• D. MAS

Answer: (A)

The technique focuses on comparing two potential reinforcers directly to see which one the learner prefers, and it controls for where the item appears to avoid bias. In a paired-choice setup, you present two reinforcers side by side and have the learner choose one. This pairwise comparison is repeated across many different pairings, which lets you build a clear picture of relative value between items.

The crucial part is counterbalancing the positions of the two items across trials. If one item always appears on the left, the learner might consistently pick it due to a side bias rather than true preference. By rotating which item appears on the left or right, you remove this bias and ensure the data reflect genuine preference rather than a positional shortcut.

This approach is specific to paired comparisons and deliberate about reducing bias, which is why it’s identified as the method that requires presenting potential reinforcers in pairs and using counterbalancing. Other options describe broader or different procedures that don’t inherently define this exact paired, position-controlled method.