In operant conditioning, what type of reinforcer is associated with an increase in the likelihood of a behavior?

In operant conditioning, a secondary reinforcer is linked to an increase in the likelihood of a behavior because it has become associated with a primary reinforcer through learning. Primary reinforcers are inherently rewarding and satisfy basic biological needs, such as food or water. In contrast, secondary reinforcers, such as money, praise, or tokens, acquire their reinforcing properties through their association with primary reinforcers.

When an individual learns that a secondary reinforcer leads to a primary reinforcer, it motivates the individual to engage in behaviors that result in the secondary reinforcer being presented. For example, if a child learns that receiving praise (a secondary reinforcer) leads to obtaining a favorite toy (a primary reinforcer), the likelihood of the child exhibiting the desired behavior to earn that praise increases.

The other concepts, such as negative reinforcers and punishers, have different effects on behavior. Negative reinforcers involve the removal of an aversive stimulus to increase a desired behavior, while punishers aim to decrease the probability of a behavior by introducing an unpleasant consequence. Therefore, the role of the secondary reinforcer specifically relates to increasing the likelihood of a desired behavior through learned association.