Which of the following is NOT one of the verbal operants?

The concept of verbal operants comes from B.F. Skinner's analysis of language and communication within the framework of behavior analysis. Verbal operants are individual units of language that serve distinct functions and are categorized based on how they are acquired and reinforced.

Echoic, mand, and tact are all established types of verbal operants.

• An echoic is when a person repeats what they have heard, which involves both the ability to hear and replicate a verbal response.

• A mand is a request where the speaker asks for something they desire, serving as a form of communication that is directly reinforced by getting what they asked for.

• A tact involves labeling or identifying objects, actions, or events in the environment which is reinforced by social acknowledgment or context.

In contrast, "direction" does not fit into the established categories of verbal operants. It is not recognized as a specific type of verbal response in Skinner's framework. Instead, providing direction may involve using various verbal operants (such as mands or tacts), but it does not stand alone as a distinct operant itself. Therefore, identifying "direction" as NOT being one of the verbal operants aligns with the principles of behavior analysis.