What is an example of a sensory reinforcer?

Sensory reinforcers are stimuli that engage an individual's senses and can enhance their behavior through positive experiences. Touch, as a sensory reinforcer, involves physical contact that can provide comfort, pleasure, or reassurance. This type of reinforcement can stimulate emotional and physical responses, making it a powerful tool in shaping behavior, especially in contexts like therapy, education, or caregiving. For instance, a gentle touch can be soothing to someone experiencing anxiety, reinforcing a state of calm and encouraging the desired behavior.

The other options either relate to social or emotional support rather than direct sensory experiences. Emotional support involves concepts and interactions that do not directly engage the senses in the same foundational way that touch does. Praise is verbal and relies on auditory perception, while time spent alone refers to a lack of interaction altogether, which does not align with the idea of reinforcing a behavior through sensory engagement.