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An establishing operation is a type of motivational variable that alters the effectiveness of a reinforcer and increases the likelihood of a particular behavior occurring. In this case, decreasing access to food serves as an establishing operation because it increases the value of food as a reinforcer. When individuals have restricted access to food, they may be more motivated to engage in behaviors that will lead to gaining access to that food, thus highlighting the direct connection between the state of deprivation and the consequent increase in motivation.

In contrast, the other options do not illustrate the concept of establishing operations in the same clear manner. Increasing exposure to social activities might enhance the value of social reinforcement but does not necessarily decrease access to it, which is a component of establishing operations. Similarly, overexposure to reinforcement could lead to satiation rather than motivation. Gaining knowledge through study is a valued activity, but it does not function as an establishing operation in terms of altering the effectiveness of a specific reinforcer like food can.