Learning Principles

Module 4

Primary, secondary and generalized reinforcers

• As noted above, humans are susceptible to certain natural reinforcers.  In behavioral terms, these are called primary reinforcers.  Primary reinforcers can increase behavior without training and include food, shelter, drink and sexual contact.  Other reinforcers are conditioned or secondary reinforcers.

  

  Secondary reinforcers acquire reinforcing power by association.  This may include receiving affection (paired with feeding) and sexual excitation (paired with sexual release).  Secondary reinforcers may become paired with other secondary reinforcers.  An example might be a key to the executive washroom or good school grades.  Both of these are reinforcing through association with social approval.

  

  A special subset of secondary reinforcers are termed generalized reinforcers.  Generalized reinforcers are those reinforcers that appear to work in almost all situations.  Examples of generalized reinforcers include social approval and affection.  While these may have been learned in a single setting, they may serve as reinforcers in all settings.

  Before continuing, take time to identify one or two secondary reinforcers that are not generalized reinforcers.

  

  Conditioned (secondary or generalized) reinforcers can explain more complex behaviors than would be available only through primary reinforcers. As an example, reading a book does not appear to be reinforced by any of the primary reinforcers.  However, reading may be reinforced by a variety of secondary reinforcers including social approval, improved grades, or a sense of personal accomplishment. 

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