Motivating operations (MOs) and discriminative stimuli (SDs) share what common feature?

Motivating operations (MOs) and discriminative stimuli (SDs) both function as antecedent variables that influence the frequency of behavior. MOs refer to environmental events or conditions that affect the value of a reinforcer, thus increasing or decreasing the likelihood of a certain behavior occurring based on its current effectiveness. For example, hunger can increase the value of food as a reinforcer, prompting behaviors such as seeking food.

On the other hand, SDs signal the availability of reinforcement for a specific behavior. They indicate when a response will be reinforced, thereby increasing the likelihood of that behavior happening in that particular context. For instance, if a child knows that a request for water will be fulfilled when they are at the kitchen sink, the sink acts as an SD for the behavior of asking for water.

Both MOs and SDs alter how behaviors are expressed and therefore play a critical role in understanding and modifying behavior within special education settings. Recognizing their shared feature as antecedent variables helps educators and practitioners effectively plan interventions and enhance learning opportunities for students.