What type of motivating operation makes another event effective as a reinforcer based on its relationship to an unconditioned reinforcer?

The concept being described involves the distinction between different types of motivating operations and their effects on behavior and reinforcement. The transitive condition motivating operation (CMO) specifically alters the value of a reinforcer based on its relationship to an unconditioned reinforcer.

For instance, when a person lacks a necessary object to achieve a goal, that object becomes more valuable as a reinforcer due to the need created by the absence of the unconditioned reinforcer. In this case, the transitive CMO establishes a scenario where the reinforcer is made more effective because it helps fulfill the need created by the absence of something else that is inherently reinforcing. This relationship emphasizes the role of context and prior conditions in the effectiveness of reinforcement.

In contrast, surrogate and reflexive CMOs function in different manners—surrogate CMOs learn their value through pairing with other motivating operations or reinforcers, while reflexive CMOs alter behavior by signaling a future situation that is aversive or reinforcing but do not directly link an event to an unconditioned reinforcer. Thus, the transitive CMO stands out by directly connecting the value of another event to the requirements established by an unconditioned reinforcer, clarifying its role in motivating behavior.