What is one of the primary cons associated with using edible reinforcers?

The primary con associated with using edible reinforcers is timing. This refers to the importance of presenting the reinforcement immediately after the desired behavior occurs. If there is a delay in providing the edible reinforcer, the individual may not make a clear connection between their behavior and the reinforcement, which can diminish the effectiveness of the reinforcement. Timeliness is crucial in behavior modification to ensure that the association between behavior and consequence is understood.

While factors such as cost, immediacy, and exhaustion may play roles in the selection of reinforcers, they do not directly impact the immediate feedback that is critical for effective behavior reinforcement. Proper timing enhances the learning process, reinforcing behavior in a way that maximizes the potential for repetition of that behavior in the future.