What does a mand operant involve?

A mand operant involves requesting something needed and then following through with the action. In the context of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a mand is a type of verbal behavior that serves a specific function: it is a request for something that the individual wants or needs. This could be a tangible item, an action, or assistance.

The essence of a mand is that it reflects the speaker's motivation and desire for a particular outcome. When a person mands, they are expressing their needs, which is a critical skill in communication and social interaction. Following through with the action after the request reinforces this behavior, as it creates a natural consequence for successfully communicating a need.

For example, if a child asks for a toy and is then given that toy, it strengthens the mand behavior, making it more likely that the child will use that form of communication again in the future when they want something.

The other options do not accurately capture the definition of a mand; they refer to different types of verbal behaviors or communication skills that do not involve the specific act of requesting or mands in ABA terminology.