A review of methods of assessing preference for social stimuli

Morris and team read every paper they could find on social preference tests. They looked at how researchers showed social items—photos, toys, live peers, or short videos. Then they asked which format best predicts what a child will actually work for later.

The review covers kids and adults, with and without diagnoses. No new data were collected; the group simply compared methods across past studies.

Video clips won. When the assessment used brief videos of people, later reinforcer tests matched the earlier picks far more often than with photos or in-person showings.

In plain words, if you let a client watch a 5-second clip of two possible play partners, the one they touch first is very likely to function as a real reinforcer in a work session.

Heinicke et al. (2016) saw mixed results with picture cards; some children’s choices did not translate into reinforcer power. Morris shows video fixes that gap by giving moving social cues, not still images.

Rojahn et al. (2012) proved the same idea in music: a quick paired-choice song test predicted which tracks later cut stereotypy. Morris extends this validation logic to social stimuli—video preference now, social reinforcer later.

Haddock et al. (2020) reviewed competing-stimulus assessments and found most modalities work for problem-behavior reduction. Morris narrows the field, saying video is the clearest bet when the target is social reinforcement, not just distraction.

Next time you plan a social-skills program, start with a 5-minute video preference assessment. Show two clips, let the client pick, and use the winner as the reinforcer during teaching trials. You will spend less time guessing and more time building genuine motivation.