Definition
An abolishing operation (AO) is an environmental event or stimulus change that decreases the effectiveness of a reinforcer or punisher, making a behavior that has been previously reinforced or punished by that consequence less likely to occur. It temporarily reduces the motivation to engage in a behavior by diminishing the value of the consequence.
Example
Imagine a child who loves playing with their tablet and usually completes their homework quickly to earn tablet time. However, after spending an entire day at school on a computer, the child may feel mentally exhausted and lose interest in screen activities. The prolonged computer use acts as an abolishing operation, reducing the reinforcing value of tablet time, which in turn decreases the likelihood that the child will be motivated to complete their homework for tablet time.