B.16 Identify examples of motivating operations

Motivating operations (MOs) are environmental variables that influence how much we value a reinforcer and how likely we are to act to obtain it. In simpler terms, MOs make something seem more or less important at a given moment, which changes how we behave.

Types of Motivating Operations

UMOs Unconditioned Motivating Operations (UMOs): Their effects do not rely on prior learning. Examples: *Tiredness: Makes rest more desirable. *Hunger: Increases the value of food.

AOs Abolishing Operations (AOs): These decrease the value of a reinforcer. Examples: *Satiety: After eating a big meal, food becomes less reinforcing. *Fed up: After too much screen time, a child may lose interest in watching TV.

EOs Establishing Operations (EOs): These increase the value of a reinforcer. Examples: *Deprivation: Food becomes highly reinforcing if a child hasn’t eaten all day. *Need: A cold environment makes a warm blanket more valuable.

Conditioned motivational operations (CMO): Their effect on the value of reinforcers depends on a learning history.

Examples:

*Putting on a sweater:  It is associated with the feeling of cold, a negative reinforcer.

*Sending an email: is associated with the satisfaction of communicating with someone.

CMO-T Transitive Access to Something Needed The motivating operation is tied to the need for access to something that will enable achieving a goal. Example: A locked door makes a key more valuable because it enables access to a desired room. Without the lock, the key would have no value in this situation.

CMO-S Substitutive Association with a Related Stimulus occurs when a stimulus becomes motivating because it has been paired with another motivating operation. It substitutes for the original motivating factor. Example: Seeing a clock at bedtime makes the bedtime routine more valuable because it is associated with sleep, which satisfies the need for rest.

CMO-R Reflexive Signals a Need to Avoid or Fix: occurs when something signals a worsening or improving condition, altering the value of behaviors that address the situation. This type of CMO motivates avoidance or problem-solving to deal with potential discomfort or frustration. Example: A difficult math problem increases the value of asking for help because it signals potential frustration or failure if the problem isn’t resolved.

Understanding these examples, we can better recognize what motivates certain behaviors and how to adjust the environment to encourage positive actions.