Which type of preference assessment involves providing a learner with choices between two items?

The paired stimulus preference assessment is an effective method for identifying a learner's preferences by systematically presenting them with two items at a time. This type of assessment requires the individual to make a choice between the two options, allowing for a direct comparison of the items.

By alternating which items are paired, you can determine which items are consistently chosen over others, thus giving insight into the learner's preferences. This method is particularly useful because it can yield a clear hierarchy of items that the individual prefers, providing valuable information for motivating them in learning situations or therapeutic contexts.

In contrast, other methods listed, like free operant preference assessments, involve allowing a learner to interact freely with available items rather than making direct choices. Informal interviews and formal preference assessments might collect information about preferences but do not involve the same type of head-to-head comparison that characterizes the paired stimulus approach.