THE EFFECTS OF RESPONSE EFFORT AND DELAY TO REINFORCEMENT ON CHOICE

A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Abstract

This preliminary study investigated the independent and combined effects of response effort and delay to reinforcement on choice behavior in three typically developing preschool children. Using a concurrent-chain procedure with block-building tasks, effort was manipulated via added weight and delay via postponed access to preferred items. Results showed a strong and consistent preference for low-effort options across all participants, whereas preferences for shorter delays were more variable, with only one participant showing a clear bias for immediate reinforcement. Overall, findings suggest that response effort may exert a more robust influence on choice than delay, and that effort and delay may function as partially independent determinants of behavior.