What is Abolishing Operation AO?
An abolishing operation is a type of motivating operation that decreases the reinforcing effectiveness of a stimulus, object, or event. It reduces the value or desirability of a consequence, making it less likely to function as a reinforcer for a particular behavior.
Example: If a person has recently eaten a large meal (abolishing operation), food may become less reinforcing. In this case, the individual is less likely to engage in behaviors related to seeking or consuming food.