What are the two main types of reinforcers?

The correct answer is that the two main types of reinforcers are primary and secondary reinforcers.

Primary reinforcers are naturally reinforcing and satisfy basic biological needs, such as food, water, and shelter. These reinforcers do not require any learning or conditioning to be effective; they are inherently valuable for survival and well-being. For example, a person feels hunger and, upon eating, experiences satisfaction and reinforcement from the primary reinforcer of food.

On the other hand, secondary reinforcers have no inherent value but become reinforcing through their association with primary reinforcers. These typically include social rewards such as praise, money, or tokens that can be exchanged for primary reinforcers. For instance, money is valuable because it can be used to purchase food, which is a primary reinforcer. The effectiveness of secondary reinforcers relies on prior conditioning and the learned association that they have with primary reinforcers.

Understanding the distinction between primary and secondary reinforcers is crucial for applying behavior modification techniques in various settings, as it informs how to effectively motivate and shape behavior.