Verbal Operants
This verbal operant is controlled by a motivating operation (MO) and specifies its own reinforcer.
Answer: Mand.
A mand is evoked by an MO and directly benefits the speaker by producing the specific reinforcer requested.
Example: saying “juice” when thirsty results in receiving juice.
What does the word “mand” stand for?
Answer: Command, demand, or request.
A mand includes requests, refusals, questions, and commands, as long as the response is controlled by a motivating operation and produces the specific reinforcer requested.
What is the primary goal of Functional Communication Training (FCT)?
Answer: To teach a functional communicative response (mand) that replaces problem behavior serving the same function.
What is the first step in conducting mand training?
Answer: Conduct a preference assessment.
A preference assessment identifies high-value, easily deliverable reinforcers that will motivate the learner to communicate.
What is shaping?
Answer: Shaping is reinforcing behaviors that gradually become closer to the target behavior until the final skill is achieved.
A child sees an airplane and says, “Plane!” Which verbal operant is this?
Answer: Tact.
A tact is controlled by a nonverbal stimulus and is typically reinforced with generalized conditioned reinforcement such as praise or attention.
True or False: A mand must always have a discriminative stimulus (SD) present to occur.
Answer: False.
A mand is occasioned by a motivating operation (MO) alone. An SD is not required for the response to be a mand. An SD may add precision, but it is not what makes the response a mand.
Before implementing FCT, what assessment should always be conducted to identify why the problem behavior is occurring?
Answer: Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA).
FCT always begins with an FBA to identify the function of the problem behavior (e.g., escape, attention, tangibles, or sensory input), so the replacement mand can access the same reinforcer.
After identifying a preferred reinforcer, what should you establish next before teaching a mand?
Answer: Capture or contrive the motivating operation (MO). The learner must be motivated for the reinforcer before the opportunity to mand is presented.
When is shaping most appropriate to use?
Answer:
When the learner cannot yet perform the target behavior independently. Reinforcing small approximations helps build the complete behavior over time.
The therapist says, “Ball,” and the learner immediately repeats, “Ball.” Which verbal operant is demonstrated?
Answer: Echoic.
An echoic is controlled by another person’s vocal verbal stimulus and involves point-to-point correspondence and formal similarity between the stimulus and the response.
A child is thirsty and asks for water, even though no water bottle is visible. Which antecedent variable is responsible for evoking the response?
Answer: Motivating Operation (MO).
The learner’s thirst creates the motivation to request water. The item does not have to be visible for the response to be considered a mand.
True or False: Every mand training program is Functional Communication Training (FCT).
Answer: False.
Every FCT program is mand training, but not every mand training program is FCT. FCT is a specific type of mand training used to replace problem behavior after its function has been identified through assessment.
When prompting a learner during mand training, what type of prompt should you use?
Answer:
The least intrusive prompt likely to produce a correct response. Using the least intrusive prompt promotes independence while still increasing the likelihood of a successful mand.
A learner is learning to mand for “juice.” They first say “ju,” then “jui,” and eventually “juice.” What should the therapist reinforce?
Answer:
The closest approximation the learner can currently perform.
As the learner's response improves, reinforcement shifts to more accurate approximations until the complete mand is achieved.
The therapist asks, “Twinkle, twinkle little…” and the learner responds, “Star.” Which verbal operant is this?
Answer: Intraverbal.
An intraverbal is controlled by another person’s verbal stimulus without point-to-point correspondence. It includes answering questions, completing songs, and participating in conversations.
Besides vocal speech, name two other ways a learner can emit a mand.
Answer: Examples include sign language, PECS, an AAC device, or a gesture.
A mand is defined by its function, not by the form of the response.
When selecting a replacement mand during Functional Communication Training (FCT), what three characteristics should it have?
Answer: Select a mand that is easy, efficient, and socially acceptable.
The replacement mand should require less effort than the problem behavior while allowing the learner to appropriately access the same reinforcer.
After the learner emits the correct mand, what should happen immediately?
Answer: Deliver the specific reinforcer requested immediately.
Immediate reinforcement strengthens the communication response and helps the learner connect the mand with the desired outcome.
In mand training, what skills is shaping most commonly used to build?
Answer:
Vocal approximations, sign topography, or motor precision (such as pointing to an AAC icon).
What concept describes when one verbal response is influenced by more than one antecedent variable?
Answer: Multiple Control.
Multiple control occurs when a response is influenced by more than one antecedent variable.
For example, a learner sees a dog while someone asks, “What animal barks?” Both the picture of the dog and the verbal question contribute to the learner responding, “Dog.”
A learner independently requests preferred items, asks for help, requests breaks, and seeks attention appropriately across different people and settings. What is one important outcome of developing a strong mand repertoire?
Answer: Increased independence.
A strong mand repertoire allows learners to communicate their wants and needs effectively, reduces reliance on others to anticipate those needs, and supports generalization across people, settings, and materials.
After teaching and heavily reinforcing the replacement mand, what is the next step in FCT?
Answer: Fade prompts and thin the reinforcement schedule.
Why is prompt fading an essential part of mand training?
Answer: To build independent manding and prevent prompt dependency.
Prompts should be systematically faded across trials so the learner communicates independently rather than relying on therapist prompts.
What are the two components that work together during shaping?
Answer:
Differential reinforcement and response variability. Differential reinforcement strengthens closer approximations, while response variability allows new responses to occur so better approximations can be reinforced.