Types of Reinforcers Primary reinforcers, like water when you’re thirsty, are naturally reinforcing—you don’t have to learn their value. In contrast, the value of conditioned reinforcers, like grades and awards, has to be learned through their association with primary reinforcers. But conditioned reinforcers can be just as reinforcing as primary reinforcers. As proof, champion snowmobiler Levi LaVallee beams as he shows off the gold medal he won in the Snowmobile Long Jump event at the 2014 Winter X games.

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