What is a Secondary Reinforcer?
A secondary reinforcer, also known as a conditioned reinforcer, is a stimulus or event that has acquired reinforcing properties through its association with a primary reinforcer. Unlike primary reinforcers, which are inherently rewarding (such as food, water, or shelter), secondary reinforcers gain their reinforcing power through learning and experience.
In the context of behavioral psychology, reinforcement refers to the process of strengthening a behavior by providing a consequence that increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. Secondary reinforcers play a crucial role in shaping complex behaviors and are particularly important in human learning and motivation.
Some common examples of secondary reinforcers include:
- Money: While not inherently valuable, money is strongly associated with primary reinforcers like food and shelter.
- Praise: Verbal approval becomes reinforcing through its association with positive outcomes.
- Grades: In educational settings, good grades become reinforcing due to their connection with success and approval.
- Tokens or points: Often used in behavior modification programs, these gain value through their exchange for primary reinforcers.
The power of secondary reinforcers lies in their flexibility and the fact that they can be more easily controlled and manipulated than primary reinforcers. This makes them particularly useful in educational and therapeutic settings, where they can be employed to encourage desired behaviors and learning outcomes.