Question

Which of the following may act as a primary reinforcer?

1. Praising
2. A biscuit
3. Saying very good
4. None of these

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : A biscuit

Reinforcers are stimuli that increase the rate or probability of the responses that precede. 

• A positive reinforcer increases the rate of response that precedes its presentation.
• Negative reinforcers increase the rate of the response that precedes their removal or termination

The reinforcers may be primary or secondary.

• A primary reinforcer-
  • is a natural or unlearned source of reinforcement
  • is biologically important since it determines the organism’s survival (e.g., food for a hungry organism)
  • work towards the satisfaction of physiological needs
• A secondary reinforcer-
  • is one which has acquired characteristics of the reinforcer because of the organism’s experience with the environment.
  • We frequently use money, praise, and grades as reinforcers called secondary reinforcers.
  • secondary reinforcers in three categories:
    1. social reinforcer (social acceptance),
    2. tokens (physical objects like money, gades,' prizes etc), and
    3. activities (free play, listening to music, trips)

Thus from the above-mentioned points, it is clear that a biscuit may act as a primary reinforcer.