Question

What is an establishing operation, what is an abolishing operation, and can you provide some examples for each?

A) Establishing Operation: Increases the effectiveness of a reinforcer; Example: Deprivation of food before offering a snack.
B) Establishing Operation: Decreases the effectiveness of a punisher; Example: A person being desensitized to a loud noise before using it as punishment.
C) Abolishing Operation: Increases the effectiveness of a punisher; Example: Exposing someone to a loud noise before using it as punishment.
D) Abolishing Operation: Decreases the effectiveness of a reinforcer; Example: Offering a preferred item before using it as reinforcement.

Answer 1

An establishing operation increases the effectiveness of a reinforcer or punisher, while an abolishing operation decreases their effectiveness. Deprivation of food is an example of an establishing operation making a snack a stronger reinforcer, and satiation is an abolishing operation making a snack less reinforcing.

Step-by-step explanation:

An establishing operation is a condition that increases the effectiveness of a reinforcer. For example, deprivation of food (hunger) can be an establishing operation for food as a reinforcer, making a snack more appealing after not eating for a period of time. On the other hand, an abolishing operation is a condition that decreases the effectiveness of a reinforcer. For instance, satiation on a specific food can serve as an abolishing operation, rendering a snack less reinforcing if the individual has just eaten a large meal.

Regarding punishment, an establishing operation can also make a punisher more effective, such as in the case of increasing the aversiveness of a stimulus (like a loud noise) if quiet conditions have been prevalent. Conversely, an abolishing operation for punishment might involve reducing a stimulus's aversiveness (desensitization to noise), thus decreasing its effectiveness as a punisher.