what is the difference between a primary and a conditioned reinforcer?
Unconditioned reinforcers are innately reinforcing. They are called primary reinforcers as they are not dependent on an association with another reinforcer. Conditioned reinforcers, referred to as secondary reinforcers, are dependent on an association with primary reinforcers. They owe their effectiveness directly or indirectly to primary reinforcers (Chance 2008 p 135).