Verbal Behavior: Characteristics and Reinforcement

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Questions and Answers

What key characteristic distinguishes alarm-calling in birds from verbal behavior in humans?

Alarm-calling is a fixed action pattern, while verbal behavior is operant behavior.

Explain why a human eyebrow flash, even though communicative, is not considered verbal behavior according to the text.

It is not operant behavior that is learned based on consequences; rather, like a bird's alarm call, it is a fixed action pattern.

Using information from the text, describe what is required for a behavior to be classified as verbal behavior.

The behavior must be operant behavior that generates a stimulus that affects another organism, and it must be reinforced by a verbal community.

In the context of Zack and Alice at the dinner table, explain why Zack's utterance of Please pass the salt is considered verbal behavior.

It is reinforced when Alice passes the salt, and it only occurs when the salt is needed and out of reach. Thus, it is operant behavior controlled by its consequences. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the principles outlined in the text, explain the role of reinforcement in the development and maintenance of verbal behavior.

Reinforcement shapes and maintains verbal behavior by increasing the likelihood that specific verbal responses will occur in certain contexts depending on their usefulness. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'verbal community,' as described in the text, and how does it influence an individual's verbal behavior?

It is a group of people who interact through language, reinforcing each other's verbal behavior, which shapes the way an individual speaks. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the experiment by Conger and Killeen (1974) demonstrates the influence of a verbal community.

The confederates reinforce certain phrases by the subject, which increases the subject's use of those phrases, showing social interactions shape verbal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Relate the concept of verbal behavior from the reading to a child learning to say 'mama' or 'dada'.

When a child says 'mama' or 'dada' and receives attention or affection, the verbal behavior is positively reinforced, encouraging the child to repeat those words. Signup and view all the answers

How does the reinforcement schedule for verbal behavior change as a child develops, and why does it change?

Initially, reinforcement is frequent and generous for even imperfect verbalizations. As the child matures, reinforcement becomes less frequent and more contingent on accurate speech. This shift is due to parents correcting and refining the child's speech to meet societal standards. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how Moerk's study of mother-child conversations supports the behaviorist view of language acquisition.

Moerk's study shows that mothers provide a high volume of model sentences and reinforce the child's imitations, shaping language through successive approximation. This supports the behaviorist view that language is learned through imitation and reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the two roles that children play in acquiring verbal behavior according to the text.

Children act as both speakers, learning to produce verbal behavior through reinforcement, and as listeners, reinforcing the verbal behavior of others, contributing to a reciprocal learning environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of imitation in the acquisition of verbal behavior, and how is it influenced by genetics and environment?

Imitation is a key initial step, likely influenced by a genetic predisposition to mimic speech sounds. This is then shaped and reinforced by significant others in the child's environment, further shaping verbal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the importance of the 'verbal community' in the development and maintenance of verbal behavior.

Without a verbal community, verbal behavior could not be acquired or maintained because the verbal community acts as the source of reinforcement and shaping for verbal responses. The verbal community also provides the context for using verbal skills. Signup and view all the answers

How can parents utilize the principles of operant conditioning to encourage their children's language development?

Parents can provide frequent reinforcement for early attempts at speech, model proper language, correct errors, and create a supportive environment to encourage communication. They should continue to provide reinforcement, although at a lower rate, as the child develops. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why praise and affection are considered reinforcers in the context of language acquisition.

Praise and affection act as positive reinforcers, increasing the likelihood of the child repeating the verbal behavior that elicited them. This makes the child more likely to practice and refine their verbal skills. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the process of 'successive approximation' in the context of shaping verbal behavior. Provide an example.

Successive approximation involves reinforcing closer and closer approximations to the desired verbal behavior. For example, a parent initially reinforcing 'da-ee' for daddy, then later reinforcing 'daddy' to refine the child's pronunciation. Signup and view all the answers

A person tells a joke, but no one laughs. According to the text, why can telling the joke still be considered verbal behavior?

Because the behavior was reinforced in past situations by the speaker's verbal community. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why sign language is considered verbal behavior according to the definition in the text.

Sign language is considered verbal behavior because it is operant behavior, the reinforcement of which depends on the presence of another person, making that person a 'listener'. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example, not from the text, of a non-vocal behavior that could be considered verbal behavior. Explain why it fits the definition.

Waving goodbye. This is operant behavior that has been reinforced in the past by others acknowledging the wave and its communicative intent. Signup and view all the answers

In the example of the stranger speaking Russian, why does the text say that whether you are a listener depends on perspective?

From your perspective, you can't be a listener because you can't reinforce behavior. From the speaker's perspective, you're treated as a listener based on perceived similarities to past listeners. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the concept of 'generalization' is illustrated in the example where the stranger speaks Russian to someone who doesn't understand the language.

The stranger generalizes that the person looks like a Russian listener, prompting the stranger's behavior. The behavior will then extinguish if no reinforcement occurs. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the critical difference between operant and respondent (classical) behavior, as it relates to defining gestures as verbal behavior.

Operant behavior is controlled by its consequences (reinforcement), whereas respondent behavior is elicited by a prior stimulus. Gestures are considered verbal behavior when they are operant, meaning their reinforcement depends on the presence and response of a listener. Signup and view all the answers

How can the definition of 'listener' be applied even in situations where the listener is unable to hear or understand the speaker, as illustrated in the text?

A 'listener' is defined by their potential to reinforce the verbal behavior of the speaker. Even if deaf or not understanding, the listener can still provide reinforcement through other means, such as nodding, smiling, or acting on the request. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the text emphasize the importance of the history of reinforcement when determining whether a behavior is verbal?

The history of reinforcement provides the context to classify behavior as verbal, even if it is not currently being reinforced. It shows how a behavior has served a communicative function in the past within a verbal community. Signup and view all the answers

According to the definition provided, why doesn't singing or reciting a poem to oneself qualify as verbal behavior?

Because there is no listener involved. The reinforcement comes from the sound produced, not from someone responding as a listener. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the molar view of operant behavior, as described by Rachlin, applies to the act of driving to an unfamiliar location.

Driving to an unfamiliar location is seen as a unitary activity defined by its function (reaching the destination). Different routes or the presence/absence of self-instructions are just variants of the same functional activity. If driving with self-instructions gets the driver to the destination more often, it will be reinforced and more likely to occur. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does behavior analysis distinguish between 'verbal behavior' and 'language'?

Verbal behavior is viewed as concrete natural events, while language is an abstract system of words and rules. Verbal behavior comprises the actual spoken words and interactions, whereas language is an abstraction that describes the verbal behavior of a community. Signup and view all the answers

How does thinking of language as a 'tool' lead to problems, according to the text?

Thinking of language as a tool raises mentalistic questions such as 'Where is this tool?', 'What is it made of?', and 'Who uses it?'. These questions lead to unanswerable questions about the physical and causal nature of language. Signup and view all the answers

If someone is talking to themselves, would this be considered verbal behavior? Why or why not?

No, talking to oneself is not considered verbal behavior in this definition because there is no distinct listener providing reinforcement. The reinforcement comes from sources other than a listener. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why the 'English language' is considered a 'rough discription of verbal behavior'.

Because it summarizes the way a lot of people talk, but people often speak 'poor English'. Therefore, the English language is an inexact approximation. Signup and view all the answers

Consider verbal behavior in terms of driving directions. How might self-instructions affect driving behavior when learning a new route, and what happens as the route becomes familiar?

Self-instructions (verbal behavior) can help one navigate a new route successfully, leading to reinforcement (reaching the destination). As the route becomes familiar, self-instructions may decrease as the behavior becomes habitual and less reliant on verbal mediation. Signup and view all the answers

How does defining verbal behavior as comprising 'concrete natural events' help avoid the pitfalls of mentalism?

By focusing on observable interactions between a speaker and a listener, and the environmental variables that affect these behaviors. This sidesteps internal, unobservable processes often associated with mentalistic explanations. Signup and view all the answers

Why might the phrase 'using language' be considered mentalistic and potentially misleading?

The phrase implies a cognitive process that doesn't always align with the functional analysis of verbal behavior, which focuses on observable actions and environmental interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how signing can be categorized within the framework of verbal behavior, vocal behavior, and 'using language' as described in the text.

Signing is considered verbal behavior and 'using language' because it serves a communicative function, but it is not vocal behavior because it doesn't involve spoken sounds. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the provided text, how does writing a book differ from speaking in terms of the categories of verbal behavior, vocal behavior, and 'using language'?

Writing a book is 'using language' but not vocal behavior because it involves written words, not spoken sounds. It's also not necessarily verbal behavior if it isn't maintained by listener responses. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a scenario illustrating behavior that is vocal but neither verbal nor an instance of 'using language.'

An alarm call emitted by an animal as a fixed action pattern is vocal but not verbal or 'using language' because it is an instinctive response, not a learned behavior maintained by social consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two key characteristics of verbal behavior, according to the text's functional analysis?

Verbal behavior consists of actions that are (1) defined functionally (i.e., by their effect on a listener) and (2) subject to stimulus control (i.e., influenced by antecedent stimuli). Signup and view all the answers

According to Figure 7.2, where does 'speaking' fall in the model of behavior?

Speaking falls into the intersection of 'verbal behavior', 'vocal behavior', and 'using language'. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between a dictionary definition of a word, and the utterances of English speakers.

A dictionary definition provides a standardized, formal meaning, while utterances reflect the flexible, context-dependent use of language in real-world communication, which might deviate from the strict definition. Signup and view all the answers

How would reciting a poem aloud to oneself be categorized, according to the circles in Figure 7.2?

It would be vocal behavior and 'using language' but probably would not be called verbal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between describing verbal behavior in terms of its structure versus its function. Provide an example illustrating this distinction.

Structural descriptions focus on the physical form of the behavior (e.g., muscle movements in speech), while functional descriptions focus on the effect of the behavior on the environment or listener (e.g., requesting behavior resulting in the delivery of a desired object). For example, different ways of saying 'water, please' (varying tone, inflection) can all have the same function: getting water. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it virtually impossible to repeat a verbal utterance exactly?

Because naturally occurring verbal behavior varies a lot. Something always changes—your inflection, your tone, your timing. Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'verbal activity' relate to the idea of functional units?

A verbal activity is a species of actions that all share a similar effect on the listener. This aligns with functional units, which group together different events based on their shared function or effect in the environment, rather than their specific form or structure. Signup and view all the answers

How does the text define functional units in the context of behavior, and what makes them different from structural units?

Functional units are defined by their effects on the environment and encompass a species or population of particular events. They differ from structural units, which focus on the physical form or specific characteristics of individual events. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of verbal behavior, explain why a phonetic spelling in a dictionary is considered only a 'crude description' of an actual utterance.

Because no representation truly captures the particular utterance, each specific utterance is unique. Phonetic spelling gives an idea of the pronunciation, but it cannot capture all the nuances of an actual utterance, such as timing, intonation, and other subtle variations. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the example of Gideon greeting his coworkers illustrates the concept of a verbal activity as a functional unit.

Each time Gideon greets his coworkers will be structurally unique, but they all belong to the functional unit of 'Gideon's greeting his coworkers' because they share the same effect or purpose: initiating a social interaction upon arrival at work. Signup and view all the answers

How is a rat pressing a level analogous to verbal activity?

The rat pressing the lever is analogous to verbal activity because there are many ways to press a lever (structurally), but they all acheive the same outcome of engaging the lever, just like a verbal activity can be achieved in different ways, but it has the same effect on the listener. Signup and view all the answers

Why does verbal behavior vary a lot?

Because we rarely try to repeat an utterance exactly. Something always changes—your inflection, your tone, your timing. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Alarm-calling

Behavior involving movement of pharynx and lungs, creating auditory stimuli that affects other birds.

Verbal Behavior

Unlike fixed action patterns, it depends on consequences due to being operant behavior.