How does reinforcement in echoics differ from reinforcement in mand training?

Reinforcement in echoics primarily involves social reinforcement, which often includes praise and attention. When a learner successfully repeats or echoes what is heard, social reinforcement like verbal praise, enthusiastic responses, or non-verbal cues (like smiles) are commonly used to encourage the behavior. This type of reinforcement enhances the learner's motivation and likelihood of repeating the echoed behavior in the future.

In contrast, mand training typically focuses on teaching individuals to make requests or demands for their needs or wants. The reinforcement for manding can often be tangible and directly related to fulfilling the request being made, meaning that when learners successfully use a mand to get what they want, they receive a physical reward or access to a desired item. This functional aspect is critical in mand training, making it different from the more social nature of reinforcement in echoics.

Understanding the distinct purposes of these verbal operants helps clarify why social reinforcement is most relevant and effective in echoics, while mand training often relies on providing tangible rewards to reinforce appropriate request behaviors.