In the field of behavioral psychology, Conditioned Motivating Operations (CMOs) are influential factors that impact how certain stimuli or events alter the reinforcing value of other stimuli based on learned experiences. In other words, CMOs affect how much we want or avoid something, depending on past conditioning. There are three key types of CMOs: Surrogate CMOs (CMO-S), Reflexive CMOs (CMO-R), and Transitive CMOs (CMO-T). Each plays a unique role in modifying behavior by altering the appeal or effectiveness of specific reinforcers. Let’s explore each type in detail, along with practical examples.
Surrogate CMO (CMO-S)
A Surrogate Conditioned Motivating Operation (CMO-S) is a previously neutral stimulus that gains motivational significance by being associated with an Unconditioned Motivating Operation (UMO). Essentially, a CMO-S stands in for a UMO, taking on the same behavioral effects as the unconditioned reinforcer it’s linked to.
Example: Restaurants as a CMO-S for Food Imagine an individual who often eats at restaurants when they are hungry. Over time, the restaurant setting itself becomes a CMO-S. Walking into a restaurant may make the person feel hungry, even if they weren’t before entering. The restaurant, through repeated pairing with food, now triggers the same motivating effects as hunger, leading to the behavior of ordering and eating food.
Example: Perfume as a CMO-S for Comfort A baby associates the scent of the mother’s perfume with comfort. When the father applies the same perfume and tries to soothe the baby, the baby calms down as if the mother were present. The perfume has become a CMO-S, mimicking the calming effect of the mother’s presence, even though the mother herself is not there.
Reflexive CMO (CMO-R)
Reflexive CMOs (CMO-R) serve as signals that warn of potential positive or negative outcomes, motivating behavior to either avoid an aversive event or approach a pleasant one. CMO-Rs are formed through experiences where a neutral stimulus precedes a situation that either improves or worsens.
Example: Pairing a Neutral Stimulus with a Shock In a lab setting, a light might be consistently paired with an electric shock. Over time, the light becomes a CMO-R, signaling an impending shock. The individual, when seeing the light, may take steps to avoid or reduce the impact of the shock. The light now acts as a motivator for avoidance behavior.
Example: Boss as a CMO-R for Escape In the workplace, if a boss consistently yells at an employee when approaching their desk, the mere sound of the boss’s footsteps can become a CMO-R. The employee may decide to take a break or leave the area to avoid the anticipated unpleasant interaction. The boss’s presence now signals the need to escape from an aversive situation.
Transitive CMO (CMO-T)
Transitive Conditioned Motivating Operations (CMO-T) involve environmental changes that influence the value of another stimulus. A CMO-T makes a previously neutral stimulus essential for accessing reinforcement, thereby driving behavior to obtain that stimulus.
Example: Key and Lock as a CMO-T Imagine a locked cabinet containing food. The key to the lock now becomes a CMO-T because it is essential to access the food. Although the key might not have been important before, it becomes highly valuable in the context of unlocking the cabinet. The person is motivated to find the key and unlock the cabinet to obtain the reinforcing outcome of food.
The Importance of Understanding CMOs
Understanding Conditioned Motivating Operations is crucial for anyone working in behavior analysis or related fields. CMOs help explain why people may behave in certain ways, based on environmental cues and past experiences. By influencing the reinforcing effectiveness of certain stimuli, CMOs play a pivotal role in shaping how we react to and engage with the world around us.
Whether it’s the reflexive urge to avoid an unpleasant situation, the learned motivation to pursue a goal, or the necessity of using a tool to access a reinforcer, CMOs guide our actions in powerful ways. These behavioral triggers help us navigate complex environments, highlighting the importance of context and conditioning in human behavior.
