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Examples of B. F. Skinner’s Verbal Operants

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Examples of B. F. Skinner’s verbal operants:

Verbal Operant

Antecedent

Behavior

Consequence

Mand

Person present and child is hungry

Child says, “Apple”

The apple is delivered to the child

Tact

Person is present and child sees an apple on a tree

Child says, “Apple”

Mom says, “Wow, it is an apple! I didn’t see that apple – good looking!”

Echoic

Mom says, “Apple”

Child says, “Apple”

Mom says, “Good saying apple!” and hugs child.

Intraverbal

Child is asked at dinner time, “What did you eat at lunch?”

Child says, “Apple” (no apple is in sight)

Dad says, “I am so glad you ate your apple! You made a healthy choice!”

Textual

Written word apple is present

Child says, “Apple”

Teacher says, “Good reading! That word is apple.”

Transcription

Teacher says, “Spell the word – apple.”

Child writes: a-p-p-l-e

Teacher says, “Good spelling the word apple that is correct!”