Which term refers to the functional units of language that constitute an individual's verbal repertoire?

Which term refers to the functional units of language that constitute an individual's verbal repertoire?

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

Answer: (D)

Verbal operants are the functional units of language in Skinner’s analysis, defining how a person’s spoken behavior operates to produce reinforcement and make up their verbal repertoire. Each operant is identified by the relation between the antecedent context and the reinforcement that follows, so the unit reflects how language is used in context rather than just its form. This broad category includes forms like echoics (repeating heard speech), tacts (labeling or describing objects, actions, or events), and intraverbals (talking about things in the absence of the speaker or in response to questions and conversations). Because the question refers to the whole set of language pieces an individual can emit to interact with the world, the term that best fits is the comprehensive classification of verbal operants, rather than any single type like echoic, tact, or intraverbal.

Verbal operants are the functional units of language in Skinner’s analysis, defining how a person’s spoken behavior operates to produce reinforcement and make up their verbal repertoire. Each operant is identified by the relation between the antecedent context and the reinforcement that follows, so the unit reflects how language is used in context rather than just its form. This broad category includes forms like echoics (repeating heard speech), tacts (labeling or describing objects, actions, or events), and intraverbals (talking about things in the absence of the speaker or in response to questions and conversations). Because the question refers to the whole set of language pieces an individual can emit to interact with the world, the term that best fits is the comprehensive classification of verbal operants, rather than any single type like echoic, tact, or intraverbal.