Simplified Motivating Operations

Motivating Operations (MOs) can be a challenging concept to master. In general, motivating operations include related, but distinguished, two categories: value altering effects and behavior altering effects. 

Value altering effects are Establishing Operations (EOs), which make a reinforcer temporarily more valuable, and Abolishing Operations (AOs), which make a reinforcer temporarily less valuable. Most studiers think of deprivation (strengthens EO) and satiation (strengthens AO). Here are some interesting examples of EOs and AOs that have nothing to do with deprivation and satiation. 

Behavior altering effects are directly related to value altering effects. Simply put, as the EO increases a person is more likely to seek out the item or activity, and as the AO increases, a person is less likely to seek out the item or activity.