Conditioned reinforcers, also known as secondary reinforcers, are stimuli that have become reinforcing through association with primary reinforcers or other previously learned reinforcers. Unlike primary reinforcers (such as food or water), which are inherently reinforcing, conditioned reinforcers gain their effectiveness through an individual’s learning history and experiences. Examples of conditioned reinforcers might include tokens, money, praise, or access to preferred items like electronics or music.
Example
In a classroom setting, a behaviorBehavior refers to any activity or action that living o... analyst uses a token economy system to reinforce a student’s appropriate behavior. The tokens themselves hold no inherent value, but they are paired with primary reinforcers like extra playtime or snacks. Over time, the student learns that collecting tokens can be exchanged for preferred rewards. As a result, the tokens become conditioned reinforcers, and the student is motivated to engage in appropriate behaviors to earn them.