Arizona State University (ASU) SPE563 Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis in Educational Settings Practice Exam

Verbal behavior is characterized as being reinforced through the mediation of others because it relies on social interactions to gain reinforcement. This means that the expressions of verbal behavior, such as speaking or writing, are typically directed toward an audience or listener who can provide a response or reinforcement based on the communication. For instance, when someone asks a question and receives an answer or feedback, this interaction reinforces the verbal behavior of the person asking the question. This social aspect is crucial in understanding how verbal behavior functions within applied behavior analysis, emphasizing the importance of listener feedback in shaping and maintaining verbal communication skills.

The other responses do not accurately capture the nature of verbal behavior. For instance, solitary reinforcement does not apply because verbal behavior is inherently social; it engages others to provide reinforcement. Non-verbal behavior is simply not a characteristic of verbal behavior, as the term itself implies the use of language. Finally, the reliance on listener response is a core component of verbal communication, as effective verbal behavior necessitates interaction with an audience. Thus, the correct understanding of verbal behavior emphasizes its social and interactive nature.