Glossary
Secondary Reinforcer
What is a secondary reinforcer?
A secondary reinforcer acquires its reinforcing effect through association with other reinforcers. It is also called a conditioned reinforcer.
Example of a secondary reinforcer
Money is a familiar example. Its value comes from what it can be exchanged for, such as food and other things a person wants.
Primary vs. secondary reinforcers
A primary, or unconditioned, reinforcer does not acquire its reinforcing effect through that kind of learned association. Food can serve this role; money gains its effect through what it has come to provide access to.
In operant conditioning, behavior changes through its consequences. Whether a secondary reinforcer increases a behavior depends on the person's learning history and the current situation.
For the functional definition and the positive–negative distinction, see reinforcer.