Which statement correctly distinguishes primary reinforcers from secondary reinforcers?

• A. Primary reinforcers are learned values; secondary reinforcers satisfy biologic needs.
• B. Primary reinforcers are negative; secondary reinforcers are positive.
• C. Primary reinforcers are social rewards; secondary reinforcers are tokens.
• D. Primary reinforcers satisfy biological needs; secondary reinforcers are learned values.

Answer: (D)

Primary and secondary reinforcers differ in where their reinforcing power comes from. Primary reinforcers satisfy biological needs and are reinforcing without any learning because they directly reduce drives—things like food, water, warmth, relief from pain, or sex. Secondary reinforcers, on the other hand, don’t satisfy a biological need themselves; they acquire their value through learning by being associated with primary rewards or through cultural and social learning. Money, tokens, praise, or good grades are valuable because they can lead to primary rewards or are culturally valued.

So the statement that primary reinforcers satisfy biological needs while secondary reinforcers are learned values captures this essential distinction. The other options mix up these ideas or rely on factors like valence or social nature that aren’t what defines the difference.