What must be present to effectively train a mand?

To effectively train a mand, the motivating operation (MO) must be present. The mand, which is a type of verbal operant, is specifically a request or command made by an individual to fulfill a need or desire. The MO creates a state of deprivation or aversive condition that drives the individual to communicate their need for a specific item or action.

Without the motivating operation, there would be no strong reason for the individual to issue a mand since the context that elicits the desire to ask for something would be absent. For instance, if a child is not hungry, they are unlikely to request food. Therefore, the presence of the MO is crucial for initiating the behavior of mands, making it a fundamental component in their training and effectiveness. This relates directly to the principles of behavior analysis, where identifying what motivates a behavior is essential for teaching and reinforcing it appropriately.