In distinguishing Establishing Operation and Abolishing Operation, which statement is true?

• A. An AO Increases the Value of a Reinforcer and an EO Decreases It.
• B. EO Increases Reinforcer Value; AO Increases Reinforcer Value.
• C. EO Increases Reinforcer Value; AO Decreases Reinforcer Value.
• D. EO and AO Are Unrelated to Reinforcer Value.

Answer: (C)

Establishing and abolishing operations describe how the current motivational state alters how valuable a reinforcer is in the moment. An establishing operation makes the reinforcer more valuable, increasing the likelihood that behaviors previously reinforced by that outcome will occur. For example, being hungry makes food more reinforcing, so seeking and consuming food is more likely. An abolishing operation does the opposite: it lowers the reinforcer’s value and reduces the tendency to engage in behaviors that would obtain it. After being fed, food is less valuable, so the motivation to seek it decreases (satiation is another example of an abolishing operation for food).

Thus, the true statement is that an establishing operation increases reinforcer value while an abolishing operation decreases reinforcer value. The other options misstate this relationship by suggesting the opposite or by claiming no relation to reinforcer value.