Verbal Behavior

Goal: To learn what is meant by “Verbal Behavior”, history of verbal Behavior, Verbal behavior as a language theory and how verbal behaviors are categorized?

Verbal behavior is a theory of language based on the principles of learning theory.

It is also a language theory that is data driven.

Explains how language develops in humans and  how and why it is maintained.

Verbal behavior also refers to language-based behaviors that are reinforced by other people.

Verbal behavior does not necessarily mean spoken language.

BF skinner developed in early- mid 1900s as a response to a popular theory at the time that suggest that  language was innate from birth.

Skinner disagreed, ran 1000’s of experiments on language / verbal behavior demonstrated that verbal behaviors operated under same principles as other non language based behaviors _________________ _____________________

Book: Verbal behavior by ______________________ in 1957 summed up 23 years of research.

Conclusions: Verbal behavior is ____________________ behavior

Responded to same variables as _________________________________

________________ and punishment are effective in changing verbal behavior same as any non language based behavior

In verbal behavior the Reinforcement is always provided by ______________

____________________ is defined by its _____________________ rather then its form.

Function: type of reinforcement provided when behavior occurs

_________________, ____________________, _________________________

Form: how behavior looks or sounds. Has nothing to do with what came before or after

Verbal behavior and the 3 term contingency

Antecedents are events _______________________________________

Behavior

_____________________ events that occur ________________________

----------------→ Leads to function

Looking at verbal behavior within the 3 term contingency inform us of the situation in which the behavior occurs and the consequences that_____________ that behavior, that is to say keep it reoccurring

Examples:

1. Thirsty student sees teachers, B- Can I have water, C-Gives water

A-   Sees friend, B-Says Hi, C-Friend replies hi

A-   Seeing text in book to read aloud, B-reads to students, C- listeners are quiet and happy

Verbal behavior always involves interaction between Speaker and listener

Speaker and listener roles can change quickly in conversation can be both speaker and listener (or example studying math facts aloud)

7 categories of verbal behaviors

Mands:

Behavior speaker makes a request of expresses a need

Mands are reinforced by access to specific item: ____________________________ , or information such as ________________________________________________

Very valuable skills access help from others to get needs met

One of the 1st verbal behaviors learned by young children

Forms of a Mand can be words and verbal approximations, or may not be spoken at all.  ____________________, _____________________ a Voice Output Communication device, PECS _______________________ Even behavior like crying and reaching.

What makes a verbal behavior a _______________ ? = Access to the item or information

Tact

Naming of something in environment that speaker is in direct contact with

SD seen or experiencing a specific item or event in the immediate environment.

Reinforcement for a tact comes from providing a generalized conditioned reinforcer such as____________________or social approval from the speaker/listener circle one

Tact labeling nouns/ verb /preposition /adjective or pronoun

Echoic

Speaker repeats something s/he just observed

A= is verbal behavior of another person

B = Must look and sounds exact same hence the word echo

C = R+ is a generalized condition reinforcement ___________________

Interverbal

Differential responses to something that was said such as:  answering a question,

Commenting or giving an opinion.

Antecedent and Sd are different (So not repeat or echo)

Reinforcement = praise

This is the basis of conversation

Textual

Textual behavior occurs when shown written words and individual speaks them/ reading out loud

A = written words

B= read words out loud

C = praise /_____________________

Transcription

Spoken word when words are written down (written product data)

Letter formation spelling must be accurate

A= speaker spoke word

B= listener write it down

C = praise or generalized condition reinforcer

Ex: Spelling tests, verbal directions, ____________________, ______________________

Same principles affect verbal and non-verbal behavior

Same strategies can be used to modify to teach verbal and non-verbal behavior

For example:

Forward chaining is a strategy that can be used for:

Non-verbal: Verbal:

Tooth brushing Answering a question like phone number?

1st step_____________________________ 1st step_____________________________________