Psychology / Unit 5 Psych 0553 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Primary and Secondary Reinforcers
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The idea
A primary reinforcer satisfies a biological need directly; a secondary reinforcer acquires its power by association with a primary one.
In practice
Food is a primary reinforcer and money is a secondary one that reinforces only because of what it buys.
Where people slip
Secondary reinforcers can become more powerful than primary ones. Their strength comes from a learned link that can break.
Your place on the trail
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