MO vs Stimulus control

Question 1

Definition:

An environmental variable that temporarily alters the value of a reinforcer or punisher and changes the likelihood of behavior that has been reinforced/punished by that consequence.

Answer 1

Motivating Operation (MO)

Question 2

Key Features:

Alters the value of the consequence (making it more or less reinforcing)

Alters the current frequency of behavior

Can be establishing (increases value of a reinforcer) or abolishing (decreases value)

Answer 2

Motivating Operation (MO)

Question 3

Example:

Food deprivation → food becomes more reinforcing → child more likely to ask for snacks

Overly full → food less reinforcing → child less likely to ask

Answer 3

Motivating Operation (MO)

Question 4

Definition:

Occurs when the presence or absence of a stimulus reliably predicts the occurrence of a behavior.

The behavior is under the control of antecedent cues (discriminative stimuli, SDs).

Answer 4

Stimulus Control

Question 5

Key Features:

Behavior occurs more reliably in the presence of SD than SΔ (non-reinforced stimulus)

Focuses on antecedent cues, not motivation

Answer 5

Stimulus Control