Definition
An Establishing Operation (EO) is a type of motivating operation (MO) that increases the effectiveness or value of a particular reinforcer, thereby making a specific behavior more likely to occur. When an EO is in place, the individual is more motivated to engage in a behavior because the reinforcer has greater value under the current conditions.
Example
A child has not had anything to drink for several hours, which acts as an establishing operation for water. The deprivation of water increases the value of water as a reinforcer. As a result, when the child is presented with the opportunity to drink water, they are more likely to engage in behaviors that have previously resulted in access to water, such as asking for a drink or approaching the sink.