ABSTRACT
Positive reinforcers are often used in behavioral treatment for the acceleration of adaptive behavior and deceleration of maladaptive behavior. Ideally, in selecting a reinforcer to use in treatment, each potential reinforcer should be tested for its effect on behavior. An automated assessment may increase the efficiency of a reinforcer assessment because the questions presented are tailored to the individual's responses. The Missouri Automated Reinforcer Assessment (MARA) is an automated assessment that presents a question regarding a reinforcer, and a menu of specific responses. The goal of the MARA is to provide a thorough, yet efficient assessment of an individual's preferences via the computer, and to present the obtained information in a usable manner to a teacher, mental health professional, parent, caretaker. The MARA program has not been formally tested. However, most of the individuals who have completed MARA have indicated that it was enjoyable to take.
