A.5 Elementary Verbal Behavior

Identify the verbal operant: A child says “chicken” when asked “What is your favorite food?”

Intraverbal

Identify the verbal operant: A child says “chicken” when they see a chicken.

Tact

Identify the verbal operant: A child repeats “chicken” after an adult says it.

Echoics

Identify the verbal operant: A child says “chicken” when they’re hungry for dinner.

Mand

Identify the verbal operant: A child says “blue” after an adult says “blue.”

Echoics

Identify the verbal operant: A child says “pizza” after being asked “What do you want for lunch?”

Intraverbal

Identify the verbal operant: A child says “ball” while pointing to a ball on a shelf to request it.

Mand

Identify the verbal operant: A child says “apple” when they see one in their lunchbox.

Tact

Textual or Transcription?: A child reads the word “dog” out loud from a written flashcard

Textual

Textual or Transcription?: A student takes notes based on their teacher’s presentation

Transcription

Textual or Transcription?: A teenager writes a list of what his mom asked him to get from the store.

Transcription

Textual or Transcription: A student reads the worksheet directions to herself, “draw a square.”

Textual

Listener responding?: A child follows the instruction, “Touch your nose,” by touching their nose.

Yes

Listener responding?: A child says “nose” when Mom points to her own nose.

No

Listener responding?: A child points to a nose in a book when asked, “Where’s the nose?”

Yes

Listener responding?: A child hears someone say “ose” and repeats, “nose.”

No

Motor imitation?: Jayden sees his therapist raise both arms and he immediately raises his arms too.

Yes

Motor imitation?: Jayden says “arms up!” after seeing his therapist raise their arms.

No

Motor imitation?: Jayden copies the therapist sticking their tongue during a silly face game.

Yes

Motor imitation?: Jayden touches his own head when the therapist says, “touch your head.”

No

When implementing echoic training, an RBT should:

Provide clear vocal models for the client to repeat

Which verbal operant is primarily reinforced by receiving the specific item or action that was requested?

Mand

In ABA, verbal behavior is categorized by:

the function or purpose of communication

EXAMPLE: RBT Carlos is working with 6-year-old Leo. During a session, Leo sees a toy car and says "car," but doesn't reach for it or show interest in playing with it. What verbal operant is Leo demonstrating?

Tact

When a child says "dog" upon seeing a dog (without necessarily wanting the dog), this verbal behavior is classified as a:

Tact

Which of the following is NOT an example of listener responding?

A student says "ball" when the teacher holds up a ball

EXAMPLE: During a session, RBT Jamal asks 8-year-old Ava "What's your favorite color?" and Ava answers "purple." What verbal operant is Ava demonstrating?

Intraverbal