ABSTRACT
Satiation while learning would hurt Jimmy's learning and deprivation would help it. The relevant motivating operation for negative reinforcers, such as shock, is simply turning on the shock, not deprivation or satiation. A motivating operation for a negative reinforcer is called a reflexive motivating operation. Though rarely studied, deprivation and satiation should also affect learning and performance involving the removal of a positive reinforcer in a negative punishment contingency. In other words, just as with reinforcement contingencies, deprivation should improve the effectiveness of negative punishment contingences and satiation should decrease the effectiveness of such contingencies, with regard to both learning and performance. Aggressive behavior is common in children and adults with autism, other developmental disabilities, and closed-head brain injuries, occurring at some level in about 15% of the individuals receiving treatment.
