What impact does an MO have on a previously reinforced behavior?

Motivating Operations (MOs) play a significant role in the behavior analysis framework by influencing the value of a reinforcer and consequently affecting the likelihood of a behavior being performed. MOs can create a state of deprivation or satiation, which impacts the frequency of previously reinforced behaviors.

When an individual is deprived of a reinforcer (for example, food), the value of that reinforcer increases, making the behavior that leads to obtaining it more likely to occur. Conversely, if the individual has had plenty of that reinforcer (satiation), the value decreases, and the previously reinforced behavior is less likely to occur. Therefore, MOs can lead to fluctuations in behavior frequency, either increasing or decreasing it based on the individual's current state regarding the reinforcer. This variability in behavior influence demonstrates the dynamic nature of the relationship between motivation, reinforcement, and behavior.