What’s the Verbal Operant?
A learner sees a dog through the window and says “dog.” No one has spoken, and the learner is not asking for the dog. Which verbal operant is demonstrated?
Tact
A learner initially earns reinforcement for an incomplete word. As performance improves, only responses closer to the complete word earn reinforcement. Which procedure is used?
Shaping
A learner receives a break for appropriately requesting one, while yelling no longer produces a break. Which procedure strengthens the appropriate request?
DRA
A learner makes repeated vocalizations during independent play. The RBT starts a stopwatch when one vocalization ends and stops it when the next begins. A coworker calls this latency because the RBT is measuring a delay. Which measurement is actually being collected?
IRT
A learner practices washing hands, fastening clothing, and packing a lunch bag. Which session focus best fits these targets?
Independent Living Skills Training
A learner wants a closed container opened, says “open,” and receives assistance. Which verbal operant is demonstrated?
Mand
An RBT presents an instruction, waits for a response, delivers the planned consequence, and pauses briefly before the next teaching opportunity. Which procedure is illustrated?
DTT
A plan reinforces holding a large ball with both hands to reduce hand clapping. The two responses cannot occur simultaneously. Which procedure is used?
DRI
Two crying episodes occur during a session. The RBT records how long each episode lasts rather than counting only the episodes. Which measure is used?
Duration
A learner practices joining a peer’s game, waiting for a turn, and responding when peers speak. Which session focus best fits?
Social Skills Training
An RBT says “good morning,” and the learner immediately repeats “good morning.” Which verbal operant is demonstrated?
Echoic
During play, a learner reaches toward a closed bubble container. The RBT uses this naturally occurring opportunity to teach requesting help. Which approach is illustrated?
NET
A learner earns reinforcement after a specified period without hitting. No particular replacement response is required. Which procedure is used?
DRO
A learner works for most of an interval but briefly stops. The RBT correctly records nonoccurrence because working did not continue throughout the interval. Which procedure is used?
Whole-interval recording
A learner practices following instructions such as “put the book away.” Each response has a distinct beginning and endpoint. Which session focus best fits?
Discrete Compliance Training
With no food or pictures present, an RBT asks, “What do you eat for breakfast?” The learner answers, “Cereal.” Which verbal operant is demonstrated?
Intraverbal
A learner initially labels a picture only after hearing a spoken model. Following teaching, the picture alone evokes the label. Which process shifted control to the picture?
Stimulus control transfer
A learner asks relevant questions so frequently that instruction is interrupted. The plan reinforces lower rates of questioning while allowing the behavior to continue. Which procedure is used?
DRL
Brief vocalizations occur throughout a session. The recording system marks an interval the same whether vocalizing happens once or continues throughout it. Which procedure can overestimate the proportion of time spent vocalizing?
Partial-interval recording
A learner begins an assigned activity independently but needs support to remain engaged. The program targets sustained participation and measures time engaged. Which session focus best fits?
Duration Compliance Training
During snack, a learner says “cracker” after an adult says “cracker.” Later, without a spoken model, the learner says “cracker” to obtain one. Which two verbal operants occur, in order?
Echoic, then mand
During a motor task, the RBT adjusts physical assistance moment by moment, releases contact when possible, and resumes assistance only when needed. Which prompting procedure is used?
Graduated guidance
A learner already initiates appropriate peer interactions independently, but infrequently. Reinforcement depends on initiating more often within the observation period. Which procedure is used?
DRH
An RBT notices a learner leaving their seat several times between scheduled checks. However, the learner is seated at every scheduled check, so the RBT correctly records no occurrences of leaving. Which recording procedure explains this result?
Momentary time sampling
A learner screams to obtain peer attention. The supervisor’s plan teaches “play with me” and arranges peer attention following that request instead of screaming. Although the skill involves peers, which session focus most specifically captures the function-based replacement procedure?
Functional Communication Training