Talking to Talk: Understanding Verbal Behavior
Bring Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior to life with this deep-dive lesson on functional language and communication. Participants will define verbal operants and their controlling variables, design interventions targeting mands, tacts, and intraverbals, and explore the ethical and practical implications of communication modality choices. A companion “Verbal Behavior Quiz” and discussion prompts guide learners through applied understanding and supervisory-level reflection.
Includes:
Lesson Plan (PDF)
Learner Handout (PDF)
Verbal Behavior Quiz (PDF)
Assignment options, journal articles, and podcast links
Vocabulary guide and discussion prompts
BACB Test Content Outline: 6th Edition, Items A-3; B-1, B-3, B-5, B-8; E-3, E-4, E-8, E-12, E-14; F-3, F-4; G-4, G-7
File Format: 3-file ZIP (Lesson Plan + Learner Handout + Quiz PDFs)
Tags: #ABA #VerbalBehavior #Skinner #Mands #Tacts #Intraverbals #Supervision #BCBA #Training #LessonPlan
Key Components:
- Functional analysis of verbal behavior vs. traditional linguistic models
- Identifying and teaching verbal operants (mand, tact, intraverbal, echoic, textual, autoclitic)
- Understanding controlling variables (MO, SD, reinforcement)
- Designing interventions for communication independence and generalization
- Ethical and assent-based decisions in communication modality selection
Recommended Lesson Order:
- Supervision Unleashed: Mastering the Art of Behavior Analytic Guidance
- Behavioral Cusps and the 7 Dimensions of ABA
- FBAs and FAs Pt 1: Neurodiverse-Affirming Approaches
- Understanding and Applying Measurement Systems in ABA
- Exploring Experimental Design in ABA
- Understanding Antecedent and Consequence Interventions
- Preference Assessments & Schedules of Reinforcement
- Prompting with Purpose
- Types of Teaching in ABA
- Talking to Talk: Understanding Verbal Behavior
- All Things Stimulus
- Stimulus Equivalence Unlocked
- FBAs and FAs Pt 2: Clinical Application Meets Medical Necessity
- Data to Dialogue: Writing Effective and Professional Plans
- Professional Feedback: The Transition from RBT to BCBA
- Trauma-Informed Care and the Evolution of ABA
- Client Rights / Consent / Assent
- Ethics and Professional Boundaries in ABA