Primary reinforcers are biological in nature.

Secondary reinforcers require association with these innate reinforcers before they can produce a response.

At a Glance

A secondary reinforcer can play an important role in the conditioning process.

Mother talking to her daughter on the floor

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This can be useful when learning new things or trying to change maladaptive behaviors.

Some can be more motivating than others.

Secondary Reinforcers vs. Primary Reinforcers

Primary reinforcersoccur naturally and do not need to be learned.

Secondary reinforcers are also called conditioned reinforcers.

They do not occur naturally and need to be learned.

Money is an example of a secondary reinforcer.

Another difference between secondary reinforcers and primary reinforcers is theareas of the brainwhere they are processed.

Token economies involve rewarding people with tokens, chips, or stars for good behaviors.

These tokens can then be exchanged for other items that the individual desires.

Parents, teachers, andtherapistsfrequently use secondary reinforcers to encourage children and clients to engage in adaptive behaviors.

Once this association has been made, the tokens themselves become reinforcing.

Advantages of Using a Secondary Reinforcer

So, what are the benefits of using a secondary reinforcer?

Why not just skip the trouble of forming an association and simply use a primary reinforcer instead?

Secondary reinforcement is less susceptible to satiation.

So, it provides the opportunity to deliver reinforcement at any time.

For example:

Token Economies

A therapist might utilize a token economy to encourage positive behavior change.

People earn tokens when they exhibit positive behaviors, which can then be exchanged for tangible rewards.

This not only reinforces the behavior but also helps foster positive self-esteem, builds confidence, and increases motivation.

Secondary reinforcement along the way can help people stay motivated to finish.

Thus, they can be useful in a variety of situations, from home to school to therapeutic controls.

2019;53(1):563-571. doi:10.1002/jaba.613