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!”