What is a primary characteristic of tacts?

A primary characteristic of tacts is that they involve responses that require listener acknowledgment. Tacts are verbal operants that are defined by their function of labeling or describing objects, events, or actions in the environment. When a speaker tactually describes something, they are expressing a particular observation or experience that is intended for the listener to acknowledge or respond to. This acknowledgment can reinforce the social aspect of communication and verify understanding between the speaker and the listener.

Understanding that tacts are dependent on the listener's presence and engagement is crucial in educational settings. For example, when a student identifies and labels an object to a teacher or peer, the interaction relies on the listener recognizing and potentially responding to that label (e.g., through verbal affirmation or further inquiry).

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of tacts. Responses that are elicited by verbal stimuli typically align more with echoics, not tacts. The aspect of lacking prior deprivation conditions is not a defining feature of tacts, as the context in which tacts occur can involve various states of deprivation. Lastly, responses conditioned by auditory stimuli do not directly describe the unique nature of tacts, which revolve around socially relevant labeling rather than conditioned responses elicited solely by sound. Overall, recognizing the