Chapter 9: Problem 2

In a chart similar to the one below, list four types of reinforcers and give an example of each.

Short Answer

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The four types of reinforcers are: (1) Positive - reward stimuli to increase behavior, example: praising a student to encourage participation, (2) Negative - removal of unpleasant stimuli to increase behavior, example: taking medication to alleviate headache, (3) Primary - intrinsically rewarding, aid survival, example: food, and (4) Secondary - not intrinsically rewarding, become so through association, example: money.

Step by step solution

Understand the concept of Reinforcers

Reinforcers are used to increase the likelihood of a specific behavior. They are mainly divided into four types: Positive, Negative, Primary, and Secondary reinforcers.

Provide an Example of a Positive Reinforcer

Positive Reinforcer: This involves the addition of a rewarding stimulus following a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior. For instance, if a student answers a question correctly in class and the teacher gives praise, then the praise (positive reinforcer) increases the likelihood of student participation (behavior).

Provide an Example of a Negative Reinforcer

Negative Reinforcer: This includes the removal of an unpleasant stimulus following a behavior to strengthen that behavior. For instance, taking medication to remove headache pain. The removal of the pain (negative reinforcer) increases the likelihood of taking medication (behavior).

Provide an Example of a Primary Reinforcer

Primary Reinforcer: A primary reinforcer is a behavior that is intrinsically rewarding, doesn't need any learning to be considered rewarding, and aids survival. For example, food is a primary reinforcer since it does not require any learning for it to be associated with a decrease in hunger.

Provide an Example of a Secondary Reinforcer

Secondary Reinforcer: These are reinforcers which are not intrinsically rewarding, but have become so through association with primary reinforcers. Money, for example, is a secondary reinforcer. It's not rewarding in itself, but can be used to acquire primary reinforcers (like food), and therefore becomes rewarding through this association.

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In a chart similar to the one below, list four types of reinforcers and give an example of each.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand the concept of Reinforcers

Provide an Example of a Positive Reinforcer

Provide an Example of a Negative Reinforcer

Provide an Example of a Primary Reinforcer

Provide an Example of a Secondary Reinforcer

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