Final answer:
Motivating operations are a component of operant conditioning which serve to increase the value of a reinforcer and the likelihood of a behavior associated with that reinforcer. Positive and negative refer to the addition or removal of a stimulus rather than good or bad. The effectiveness of reinforcement can vary based on factors like whether rewards are tangible or verbal and expected or unexpected.
Step-by-step explanation:
Motivating operations (MO) increase the relative value of a particular reinforcer and enhance the efficacy of a behavior that has been reinforced by that reinforcer in the past. In operant conditioning, we talk about reinforcement and punishment. Reinforcement strategies, which include both positive and negative reinforcement, are aimed at increasing a behavior. On the other hand, positive and negative punishment strategies are designed to decrease a behavior. It's important to note that 'positive' and 'negative' in this context do not signify 'good' and 'bad' but rather the addition or removal of a stimulus.
Research indicates that different types of reinforcers, such as tangible rewards like money or intangible rewards like praise, can have varying impacts on motivation. For example, tangible rewards might diminish intrinsic motivation unless they are unexpected, whereas verbal praise might actually bolster intrinsic motivation. Moreover, the societal implications of operant conditioning suggest that higher rewards for more important or challenging work can serve as motivation for individuals to invest more effort and time into their tasks.