Question

__________________ reinforcers are those that will not reinforce behavior until the individual has learned that the consequence signals a delay reduction to a backup reinforcer.

Answer 1

Secondary reinforcers are those that gain their reinforcing power through their association with primary reinforcers. They have no inherent value but are used to reinforce behavior once an individual learns that they predict a reduction in the delay to a backup reinforcer, such as money being used to buy food.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reinforcers being described are secondary reinforcers. These types of reinforcers acquire their power to strengthen behavior through their association with primary reinforcers, which have innate reinforcing qualities like food and water. Secondary reinforcers, such as money, praise, or tokens, have no inherent value but become reinforcing after the individual has learned that they predict a reduction in the delay to obtain a backup reinforcer. For instance, money is a classic example of a secondary reinforcer because it can be used to buy primary reinforcers, like food or shelter, therefore reinforcing the behavior that produced the money.

In a learning process, secondary reinforcers are crucial because they help shape and maintain behaviors without the constant need for primary reinforcers. An example of this is when a teacher uses gold stars as a form of secondary reinforcement; students learn that accumulating these stars leads to a reward, such as extra playtime or a small prize, which in turn reinforces the behaviors that earned them stars.