Assessing stimulus preference using response force in a conjugate preparation: A replication and extension

Adults squeezed a hand dynamometer while picture slides changed.

Harder squeezes made the pictures stay on screen longer.

The computer recorded how much force each picture earned.

After the session, researchers compared the force ranks to a standard VMSWO list.

For three out of four adults, the force ranks matched the VMSWO ranks almost perfectly.

High-preference pictures from the VMSWO also earned the most force.

Low-preference pictures earned the least force.

The dynamometer gave the same answer as the longer interview in under five minutes.

Duker et al. (1996) first showed that top items from a choice test later work as reinforcers.

Sheridan’s team now shows you can find those top items without asking a single question.

Huntington et al. (2022) proved that who gives the assessment changes the results.

Here, the participant controls the gauge, removing the social variable Huntington flagged.

Matson et al. (2013) added unfamiliar toys and still found reinforcers.

Sheridan used only familiar pictures, so the force method still needs testing with new items.

You can swap a five-minute dynamometer pull for a fifteen-minute VMSWO interview.

The client never has to speak or point; they just squeeze.

Try it with adults who are non-verbal or have motor planning issues.

If the force list matches later reinforcer tests, you just saved valuable session time.