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Primary reinforcers are stimuli that possess innate, unlearned reinforcing qualities because they satisfy biological or inherent needs. Organisms do not need to be taught to find these reinforcers rewarding. Common examples include fundamental necessities like food, water, sleep, and shelter, as well as other intrinsic drivers such as physical touch, sex, and pleasure. The drive for these reinforcers is persistent and does not typically diminish.

Primary Reinforcer

An example of applying a primary reinforcer to human behavior is giving a soccer player, Sydney, a piece of candy each time she scores a goal. In this scenario, the candy acts as a primary reinforcer because it is food, which has an innate, unlearned reinforcing quality that satisfies a biological drive.

Example of a Primary Reinforcer: Candy for a Soccer Player

Jumping into a cool lake on a very hot day serves as a powerful example of a primary reinforcer. The reinforcing effect is innate and twofold: the water directly addresses a physical need by cooling the body, and it also provides pleasure. This experience is inherently rewarding without any prior learning.

Example of a Primary Reinforcer: Cooling Off in a Lake

A behavioral researcher wants to increase the frequency of a specific lever-pressing behavior in a lab animal. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the use of a stimulus that is reinforcing due to its innate, biological properties, requiring no prior learning for it to be effective?

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