What defines a secondary reinforcer?

A secondary reinforcer is defined as a stimulus that becomes reinforcing after it has been paired with a primary reinforcer, which is inherently rewarding and satisfies basic biological needs. This means that a secondary reinforcer gains its value through its association with something that typically has a strong motivational function, such as food or water. Common examples of secondary reinforcers include money, verbal praise, or tokens, which do not have intrinsic value but can facilitate access to primary reinforcers.

The understanding of this concept is crucial in behavioral interventions and reinforcement strategies, as effectively using secondary reinforcers can help motivate individuals to engage in desired behaviors. By pairing these stimuli with primary reinforcers over time, they can elicit similar motivating responses, effectively enhancing learning and behavioral change.