How do mands differ from tacts?

Mands are indeed defined as requests for actions or items, which makes this choice the correct answer. They are a type of verbal operant where an individual communicates a desire for something, whether it's a tangible item, an action, or a service. The function of mands is to obtain what the speaker wants or needs, demonstrating an immediate connection between the speaker's intent and the response they seek.

This differs significantly from tacts, which are used to label or describe objects, actions, or events that are present in the environment, without the direct intent of acquiring them. Tacts are more about observation and description rather than a form of requesting. Therefore, the nature of mands being focused on requests for fulfilling needs differentiates them clearly from other verbal operants like tacts.