Answering, explaining, discussing, engaging in conversation that is evoked by other verbal stimuli

Answering, explaining, discussing, engaging in conversation that is evoked by other verbal stimuli

• A. Echoic
• B. Intraverbal
• C. Verbal operants
• D. Mand

Answer: (B)

Responding to someone else’s words with a meaningful, non-identical verbal reply is an intraverbal. In Skinner’s framework, this behavior is controlled by a verbal stimulus but does not involve copying the exact words spoken; it’s about engaging in conversation, answering questions, explaining, or discussing topics using appropriate language. The emphasis here is on the relational, conversational nature of the response rather than repeating what was heard. This differs from an echoic, which requires point-to-point repetition of the same words, and from a mand, which is a request driven by a need or desire. It also sits under the broader category of verbal operants, but the described behavior specifically exemplifies intraverbal responses.

Responding to someone else’s words with a meaningful, non-identical verbal reply is an intraverbal. In Skinner’s framework, this behavior is controlled by a verbal stimulus but does not involve copying the exact words spoken; it’s about engaging in conversation, answering questions, explaining, or discussing topics using appropriate language. The emphasis here is on the relational, conversational nature of the response rather than repeating what was heard. This differs from an echoic, which requires point-to-point repetition of the same words, and from a mand, which is a request driven by a need or desire. It also sits under the broader category of verbal operants, but the described behavior specifically exemplifies intraverbal responses.