Which verbal operant is a label for a non-verbal discriminative stimulus and is maintained by generalized reinforcement?

• A. Listener Response
• B. Intraverbal
• C. Tact
• D. Mand

Answer: (C)

A tact is a verbal operant that names or describes objects, actions, or events that are present in the environment. It is evoked by a nonverbal discriminative stimulus—the actual thing you see or experience—and is reinforced by generalized reinforcement, such as social praise or attention, which is not tied to a specific item. For example, seeing a dog and saying “dog” typically earns praise or attention, strengthening the label across various contexts. This differs from a mand, which is a request for a specific reinforcer and is reinforced by obtaining that particular item; from an intraverbal, which replies to a verbal stimulus with another verbal response not necessarily tied to the present object; and from listener responding, which involves following or responding to instructions and questions rather than labeling what is present.