Effects of Choice and Task Preference on the Work Performance of Students with Behavior Problems

Abstract

This investigation compared the effects of choice and assignment of preferred and nonpreferred tasks on the work performance of three students with moderate intellectual impairments and challenging behavior in a classroom setting. After assessing student task preferences, a multielement design was used to evaluate three conditions: (a) assigning a preferred task, (b) assigning a nonpreferred task, and (c) providing a choice between work tasks. Results indicated individual participant data were idiosyncratic and choice making failed to produce superior effects for any of the participants. Students' task preferences changed from preassessment to postassessment, although their nonpreferred tasks remained unchanged. Results are discussed in terms of previous research and future research needs with this student population.