What does an Establishing Operation (EO) do to reinforcement?

An Establishing Operation (EO) significantly influences the effectiveness of a stimulus as reinforcer by increasing its value or potency at a specific moment in time. When an EO occurs, it often creates a state of deprivation or need that makes an associated reinforcer more appealing. For example, if an individual has not eaten for a while, food becomes a stronger reinforcer due to the hunger they experience. In this way, an EO directly affects how much a person craves or seeks out a specific reinforcer, thereby increasing its current effectiveness. Understanding this concept is crucial for behavior technicians as it helps them design interventions that consider the changing motivational states of clients.