establishing operation

any event or procedure that changes the efficacy of a stimulus as a reinforcer or punisher. For example, in an operant-conditioning study where food is used to positively reinforce behavior, the establishing operation may be food deprivation, which sets up food as a rewarding and reinforcing stimulus.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

December 18th 2024

endosomatic current

an electrical current produced by a living organism.