Traditional theories on language development (Chomsky, Piaget, Vygotsky, Bruner) have defined it as an innate process not dependent on environmental factors, but controlled by cognitive mechanisms internal. As a result, they focused on the form of the language, that is, on words, phrases, syntax, grammar, etc.
In 1957, the American psychologist B. F. Skinner writes the book Verbal Behavior, in which he presents language as verbal behavior that can be explained by the same environmental variables that control any other behavior. In this Psychology-Online article we want to delve into the subject to understand what is verbal behavior, the different types and some examples.
From the traditional approach we can say that the structure of language is represented by fundamental units of analysis. Essentially, the emphasis is placed on topography, that is, the form of language, while words are classified as nouns, verbs, adjectives and the fundamental distinction is between receptive and expressive language.
In 1957, the psychologist B.F. skinner wrote a book titled Verbal behavior that gave a twist both to the conceptualization of language and verbal behavior and to the teaching of verbal behavior. Within his text he affirms that language can be considered an operant behavior and, as such, it can be reinforced through the mediation of another person.
In this sense, it is a behavior of high value and high social significance, since to be reinforced requires the mediation of other people. In contrast to traditional theories, Skinner argues that language is not a cognitive process. innate or related to development, but behavior that is explained through variables environmental.
Ultimately, verbal behavior is a socially significant behavior because it is born and develops through interactions between subjects and can be manipulated, developed and taught by the environment and by variables such as antecedents and consequences.
Skinner was so revolutionary that he coined new technical terms. In fact, he claimed that the term "talk" was too restrictive and the term "language" was too general, so he chose the term "conduct." verbal" to include any form of communication, oral and non-oral, sign language, pictures, written language, making gestures, written symbols, etc
Language is considered a behavior influenced by different variables. Next, we will show you what elements influence verbal behavior:
- The precedent: Describes the situation prior to the behavior and includes stimulus control and motivation (MO).
- The behavior (true): represents the way in which the person performs the behavior with respect to the precedent.
- The consequences: Ultimately, the consequence is the actions that follow that behavior.
Consequently, behavior can be varied through reinforcement (increased behavior), extinction (decreased behavior), or punishment (weakening of behavior).
Verbal behavior can be studied based on the environmental stimuli that precede and follow it. The word is no longer defined on the basis of its form, but by its function, that is, on the basis of the variables that control its emission. In this sense, below, we will show you the various functional categories into which language is divided.
SEND
One of the types of verbal behavior that represents those demand behaviors that are under the control of the motivational operation (MO). Therefore, they are types of interactions to obtain the desired reinforcers, for example, say "cookie" to get the cookie).
In the antecedent is the MO, the behavior specifies the reinforcer and the consequence is represented by the reinforcer specified by the motivational operation. In short, following the example above, if I have a cookie motivation, I say "cookie" and get the cookie.
TOUCH
This type of verbal expression represents the denomination, the label, the identification of objects, actions, events, characteristics, etc. For example, saying "cookie" because you see a cookie. In the area of the antecedents we find the discriminatory stimulus non-verbal in nature
In this case, the behavior is the specification of the object seen. There is no purpose in obtaining the stimulus, therefore, the reinforcer is nonspecific and can be associated with social reinforcement.
ECOIC
This case refers to vocal imitation, that is, repeat exactly what has been heard. For example, saying "cookie" after someone has said "cookie." In this case, in the preceding one we have a discriminative stimulus of a verbal nature, in the behavior we have point-by-point repetition. point of the discriminative stimulus (SD) of a verbal nature and in the consequences we have a nonspecific reinforcer plus the reinforcement social.
To recap, if the teacher says "cookie," the child repeats "cookie" because a nonspecific reinforcer is delivered plus a social reinforcer.
INTRAVERBALLY
This type of verbal behavior is about answering questions, fill-in, in conversations in which words are under the control of other words spoken by another person. Following the example, if the child says "cookie" when someone asks if it is something to eat.
In the antecedents there is a discriminative stimulus of a verbal nature, but, in this case, we do not have a point-to-point correspondence. The behavior is verbal in nature and is related to DS, but has no point-to-point correspondence.
The consequence is a social reinforcer and a nonspecific reinforcer. In summary, if the teacher says: "can you tell me something to eat?" The child will answer "cookie."
LISTENER
He listener or behavior of the listener is the execution of instructions or motor actions in response to a request made by another person. For example, if it says "touch a cookie after the request.
On this occasion, in the antecedent there is a discriminatory stimulus of a verbal nature. The behavior is non-verbal, for example, taking, touching or giving, and in the consequences we find the non-specific reinforcement plus a social reinforcement. In this article you will find more information about the types of nonverbal communication.
In conclusion, if the teacher says "touch the cookie", the child will touch the cookie and receive a reinforcer as a reward.
TEXTUAL
Textual behavior is the reading without comprehension. The comprehension of what is read implies the involvement of other verbal and non-verbal agents such as intraverbal and receptive language. For example, saying "cookie" when seeing the written word "cookie" is a textual behavior.
Understanding that a cookie is something you eat is not textual behavior. Understanding, in this case, is commonly identified as reading comprehension. Skinner chose the term textual because the term reading refers to many processes taking place at the same time.
TRANSCRIPT
Another identified verbal behavior is transcription or dictation, which consists of write a word that has been heard. Skinner refers to this behavior as "dictation" because the behavior involves not only writing the letters that make up the word, but also the correct recognition of the individual letters that make up the word.
