Define an Unconditioned Motivating Operation (UMO). What are the nine main UMOs for humans? Define a Conditioned Motivating Operation (CMO). What are the three types of CMOs and how are they applied in Applied Behavioral Science?
Definition of Unconditioned Motivating Operation
Cooper, Heron and Heward, (2014) define unconditioned motivating operation (UMO) as an inspiring operation that is independent of the learning history to determine its value altering effects. The motivator in this type of operation occurs naturally without being taught value to them. An example is feeling hungry.
The feeling of hunger is unlearned and occurs naturally when the body needs replenishment. Hunger comes in when the food initially in the stomach has been digested, which results in a drop in blood sugar and insulin. The deficiency is communicated to the brain, which then creates the urge to eat-Unconditioned Motivating Operation.
The examples of the 9 Main Main Unconditioned Motivating Operation include;
- Sleep deprivation
- Food destitution
- Water destitution
- Inactivity
- Oxygen destitution
- The feeling of extreme cold
- Feeling of warmness
- Increase in pain stimulus
- Sex deprivation
Conditioned Motivating operation (CMO)
This is a motivating operation whose value altering effect is dependent on learning to achieve value. CMO can be a person learning how to use a vacuum cleaner. They must learn how to use the neutralizer or the crevice attachment so achieve substantive results. Therefore, the three CMO that can be used in applied behavioral science include; Transitive conditioned operations (CMO-T), Surrogate conditioned operations (CMO-S), and reflexive conditioned operations (CMO-R).
Application
CMO-T may be applied when one goes to a shoe shop; for instance, they may try on a shoe and find it uncomfortable. The act of asking for a larger or a smaller fitting shoe is the action of CMO-T-Unconditioned Motivating Operation. This is a condition that makes the person need another stimulus. The hypothesis of Surrogate conditioned operation (CMO-S) is when a student improves in mathematics from constant revision and exercises.
Before they started performing well, the student had failed due to lack of consistent revision. So, the excellent performance acts as a motivator for making progress each day. CMO-R occurs when a person feels repelled against another. Therefore, when they meet them, their brain sends a signal, and this may trigger diversion.
Reference
Cooper, J., Heron, T. and Heward, W. (2014). Applied Behavior Analysis. England: Pearson
Education Ltd.