Value-altering and behavior-altering effects are described as the defining features in the original definition of an establishing operation.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not defined
• D. Sometimes true

Answer: (A)

Establishing operation describes a motivating operation that changes how valuable a stimulus is as a reinforcer in the moment and alters how often behaviors that have previously produced that reinforcer occur. The defining features are the value-altering effect (altering the reinforcing effectiveness of that stimulus) and the behavior-altering effect (changing the current frequency of behavior that has produced access to the reinforcer in the past). For example, deprivation increases the value of food as a reinforcer and elevates food-seeking behaviors, while satiation reduces its value and the related behaviors. Because both aspects are part of the original definition, this statement is true. If you only recognized one facet, you’d miss how establishing operations influence both reinforcer value and the likelihood of the associated behaviors.