Question

in the context of operant conditioning, a reinforcer that acquires its positive value through an organisms experience is a ____ reinforcer.

○ secondary

○ tertiary

○ primary

○ negative

Explanation:

In operant conditioning, a primary reinforcer is innately rewarding (like food or water). A secondary reinforcer gains its positive value through association or experience (e.g., money, which is valuable because of what it can buy, learned over time). Tertiary reinforcers are less common and build on secondary ones, and negative reinforcers involve removing an unpleasant stimulus, not acquiring value through experience. So the correct term here is secondary.

Answer:

A. secondary