A drawback in using primary punishers and primary reinforcers in research would be that:
A) the experimenter must first make sure that the stimulus has acquired reinforcing properties.
B) using primary punishers or taking away a primary reinforcer would not be ethical.
C) they are more likely than other punishers and reinforcers to lead to superstitious behaviours.
D) they are not as effective as secondary reinforcers in conditioning procedures.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using primary punishers or taking away primary reinforcers is not ethically acceptable in research, which is a significant drawback. Therefore, researchers have to rely on secondary reinforcers or punishment methods that are not as effective as primary ones. However, they still maintain ethical standards. Option A is incorrect because researchers can use primary reinforcers in research, but they have to ensure that the stimulus is reinforcing. Option C is not entirely true because superstitious behaviour can occur with any type of reinforcer or punisher. Option D is incorrect because primary reinforcers are typically more effective than secondary reinforcers in conditioning procedures.

A Drawback in Using Primary Punishers and Primary Reinforcers in Research