The Classification System of Verbal Operants

 

In 1957, Skinner wrote the book Verbal Behavior in which he analyzed language based on the same environmental principles of behavior that he used to analyze nonverbal behavior. That analysis resulted in a classification system that allows for the identification of different types of language. The elementary verbal operants originated from this system, including:

Mands
Tacts.
Echoic.
Intraverbal (Sundberg, 1998).
This assignment allows you to further solidify your understanding of this classification system.

Instructions
To complete this assignment, use the Identifying Verbal Operants Template [DOCX] write a paper in which you:

Review the examples in the grid and identify which verbal operant (mands, tacts, echoic, and intraverbal) is being presented.
Define each of the four verbal operants and justify the answers you provided. Why did you choose the verbal operant that you did?
Provide your own example for each of the four-verbal operants in narrative form.
Explain why it is beneficial for learners to increase their mand, tact, echoic and intraverbal repertoire. Provide a separate reasoning for each of the four operants.