Paired Stimulus Preference Assessment (5 Stimuli)

Client’s Name: __________________________ Evaluator: __________________________

Date: __________________________
List of Stimuli:
1. ______________________
2. ______________________
3. ______________________
4. ______________________
5. ______________________

Session #1 Date: Session #2 Date: Session #3 Date:

Stimulus Selected Stimulus Selected Stimulus Selected
1. 1 2 1. 1 2 1. 1 2
2. 4 5 2. 4 5 2. 4 5
3. 3 1 3. 3 1 3. 3 1
4. 5 3 4. 5 3 4. 5 3
5. 1 4 5. 1 4 5. 1 4
6. 3 4 6. 3 4 6. 3 4
7. 5 1 7. 5 1 7. 5 1
8. 2 5 8. 2 5 8. 2 5
9. 2 3 9. 2 3 9. 2 3
10. 4 2 10. 4 2 10. 4 2

Session #4 Date: Session #5 Date: Session #6 Date:

Stimulus Selected Stimulus Selected Stimulus Selected
1. 1 2 1. 1 2 1. 1 2
2. 4 5 2. 4 5 2. 4 5
3. 3 1 3. 3 1 3. 3 1
4. 5 3 4. 5 3 4. 5 3
5. 1 4 5. 1 4 5. 1 4
6. 3 4 6. 3 4 6. 3 4
7. 5 1 7. 5 1 7. 5 1
8. 2 5 8. 2 5 8. 2 5
9. 2 3 9. 2 3 9. 2 3
10. 4 2 10. 4 2 10. 4 2

How many times was: Hierarchy of Preferred Stimuli:

1. Stimulus #1 Selected ____ 1. ______________________
2. Stimulus #2 Selected ____ 2. ______________________
3. Stimulus #3 Selected ____ 3. ______________________
4. Stimulus #4 Selected ____ 4. ______________________
5. Stimulus #5 Selected ____ 5. ______________________
Paired Stimulus Preference Assessment

Instructions
 Paired Stimulus Preference Assessment

Preference assessments help therapists/teachers/parents/caregivers identify items (stimuli) that may be

preferred by an individual with developmental disabilities. Many of these preferred stimuli may serve as
potential reinforcers for the individual. There are many methods available to conduct a preference assessment,
and this data sheet is to be used when conducting a paired stimulus (PS) assessment.

A paired stimulus (PS) assessment may also be known as the “forced choice” method. During each
session of a PS assessment, each stimulus is matched with another in the set until all possible pairs have been
exhausted.

Procedure:
1. Determine the number (4-6) of different items to be included in the set. The set must remain the same
across all sessions. Use the PS data sheet that corresponds to the number of items. Write the included
items in the “List of Stimuli” box.
2. Seat the individual at a table, and place the items on a tray or mat that can be removed between trials.
Alternatively, small pieces of edibles may be placed in small containers, such as medicine cups, and
removed between trials.
3. Present the pairs according to the prescribed matches on the data sheet, ensuring that the items are
equidistant during each trial.
4. Tell the individual to, “choose,” or “pick one.” Other short, direct, and simple phrases with which the
student may be familiar are also acceptable.
5. Circle the selected item on the data sheet. Circling the items on the data sheet will tell you which item
was selected during each trial. This will also help to determine if the individual is actively scanning and
selecting a preferred item, versus selecting using a side-bias. Also record if no item was selected during
a trial.
6. Using this procedure, conduct multiple sessions on different days and different times to acquire valid
results.
7. Once all sessions are completed, determine the hierarchy of preferred stimuli by totaling the number of
times each item was selected across all sessions. Using this tally, determine the preference hierarchy by
listing the items in most-to-least order.

Cooper, J.O., Heron, T.E., & Heward, W.L. (2007). Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed., pp. 278-279).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
 Paired Stimulus Preference Assessment

Client’s Name: __________________________ Evaluator: __________________________

Date: __________________________

List of Stimuli:
1. Cookie
2. Gummy Bear
3. Chocolate
4. Cracker

Session #1 Date: 6/14/19 Session #1 Date: 6/14/19

Stimulus Selected Stimulus Selected
1.
1 2

2. 3 4

3.
3 1

4. 4 2

5. 1 4

6.
2 3

How many times was: Hierarchy of Preferred Stimuli:

1. Stimulus #1 Selected 0 1. Chocolate

2. Stimulus #2 Selected 6 2. Cracker
3. Stimulus #3 Selected 18 3. Gummy Bear
4. Stimulus #4 Selected 12 4. Cookie
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