What are primary reinforcers?

Primary reinforcers are stimuli that are naturally rewarding and satisfy biological needs, such as food, water, shelter, and warmth. These reinforcers do not require any learning or conditioning to be effective; they are inherently satisfying. For instance, when a person is hungry, consuming food directly fulfills that need, which makes food a primary reinforcer.

The other options refer to different categories of reinforcers. For example, learned reinforcers, often called secondary reinforcers, gain value through association with primary reinforcers, which is the contrast to primary ones that are satisfying on their own. Social approval represents a form of secondary reinforcement as it is dependent on social constructs and individual experiences, further emphasizing how these are not inherently satisfying. Lastly, the effectiveness of reinforcers can vary, but primary reinforcers consistently satisfy basic needs. Thus, primary reinforcers are characterized by their intrinsic rewarding qualities, making them fundamentally different from learned or less stable forms of reinforcement.