This document discusses motivational operations (MOs) and how they affect learning and performance with respect to reinforcers. MOs increase the effectiveness of reinforcement and the number of responses that produce reinforcement. Deprivation of a reinforcer increases relevant learning while satiation temporarily decreases it. To prevent satiation, reinforcers should be limited or broken into smaller portions. MOs are important to consider when running procedures with children to keep them motivated by identifying reinforcers and limiting access to them. Conducting preference assessments can help determine effective reinforcers when motivation decreases.

1. MOTIVATING
OPERATIONS (MOS)
PSY 3570: Practicum with Special Populations

2. Definition
 A procedure or condition that affectsaffects
learning and performancelearning and performance with respect to
a particular reinforcer or aversive condition
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3. MOs Major Effects
 Major effects of an MO:
 Increase the effectiveness of reinforcement
 Increased the number of responses that produced
reinforcement in the past
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4. Deprivation
 Not contacting or consuming a reinforcer
increases relevant learning and performance
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5. Satiation
 Contacting or consuming too much of a
reinforcer temporarily decreases relevant
learning and performance
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6. Preventing Satiation
 Edible reinforcer:
 Cutting a skittle into 8 pieces vs. delivering an
entire skittle for each response
 Tangible reinforcer:
 Limit the length of time child has access to car
 5 seconds vs. 10 seconds
 Social reinforcer:
 Limiting the number of high fives
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7. How do MOs apply to our kids?
 Our children need to be motivated to work
 We must identify reinforcers/conditions that
will increase the likelihood they will perform
 We must limit the contact the children have with
the reinforcers
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8. How do MOs affect procedures?
 If a child is not motivated:
 Responding decreases
 Limiting learning opportunities
 Often, problem behavior increases
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9. What can we do?
 Conduct preference assessments
 Before each session
 When a decrease in responding is observed
 When child does not accept reinforcer
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10. What about attending to MOs outside
of running procedures?
 What if you are in the playroom, and your child
demonstrates a preference for a certain toy?
 Use the toy as a reinforcer (structured play)
 What if you walk by the bathroom with your
child, and they run in it?
 This could be an MO for having to use the
bathroom
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11. Other forms of “Motivational” systems
 Token boards
 Behavior plans
 Differential reinforcement
 Behavioral contracts
 Point systems
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