What are derivative tacts?

The concept of derivative tacts is best encapsulated by the idea of generalized tacts that arise from previous experiences. In behavior analysis, a tact is an elementary verbal operant that is evoked by a particular object, event, or property in the environment and is reinforced by social interaction. Derivative tacts specifically refer to verbal labels or categories that a person can vocally express based on a broader range of past experiences, rather than direct contact with those experiences.

For instance, if someone has learned to label a variety of fruits based on their experiences with them, they might be able to correctly identify and label a new fruit with similar characteristics as a "fruit" even if they have never encountered that specific type before. This demonstrates how past experiences shape the individual's capacity to generalize and tact about new stimuli, resulting in a broader understanding that is not purely reliant on direct previous encounters.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of derivative tacts. Options suggesting irrelevance to past experiences or connections to just one source of information overlook the importance of experiential learning in forming generalized categories. Simple labels for observable objects do not encompass the wider connections established through varied experiences that characterize derivative tacts.