How to Assess Patient Preferences with Optimism

What kind of assessment are you running?

a. Multiple Stimulus with Replacement

b. Multiple Stimulus without Replacement

c. Paired Choice Preference Assessment

d. Single Stimulus Preference Assessment

Final answer:

The type of assessment where one item is presented at a time to gauge interest through behaviors like gazing or approaching is called a Single Stimulus Preference Assessment.

When you present an item to your patient and collect data on their behaviors indicating interest, you are running a Single Stimulus Preference Assessment. In this method, you are presenting one item at a time and noting the patient's response, without replacing the item after each trial or offering multiple items for choice. This procedure is useful for identifying preferences, especially in individuals who may have difficulty making choices between multiple items or cannot verbalize their preferences effectively.

Direct observation of the patient's reaction is critical in a Single Stimulus Preference Assessment. You observe physical responses such as gazing towards the item or attempting to get closer to it, which are used to gauge interest. By analyzing these behaviors, you can assess the patient's preferences, which can then underpin further treatment or interaction strategies.

Two Scientific Questions:

1. Does the frequency of a behavior (e.g., long gazing) correlate with the intensity of preference for the item?

2. How does the patient's response time in showing interest towards the item relate to their overall preference level?