What is the first step in the Echoic Contingency model?

The first step in the Echoic Contingency model is indeed the antecedent. This stage involves the environmental stimuli that trigger a behavior, specifically the vocal stimulus that a speaker presents for imitation. In the context of echoic behavior, the antecedent is the verbal prompt or sound made by another person that invites the individual to echo or repeat that sound.

Understanding this is crucial because it sets the stage for the individual's response—without the antecedent, there would be no opportunity for the echoic behavior to occur. The antecedent is a key component of the model, as it determines what behavior is to be evoked and directly influences the subsequent actions taken by the listener or learner.

In contrast, the other components of the model involve different stages of the behavior process; the consequence would be the result of the behavior, and feedback typically refers to the information given after the response has occurred. Therefore, recognizing antecedent as the first step underscores its foundational role in initiating echoic behavior.