Which scenario illustrates the use of a tact?

The scenario where a child says "Car!" when they see a car passing by effectively demonstrates the use of a tact. A tact occurs when an individual labels or comments on an object, event, or situation in their environment, typically as a response to a non-verbal stimulus. In this case, the child is observing the car in their surroundings and accurately identifying it with the spoken word "Car!" This kind of verbal behavior is characterized by the child expressing their observation of the world around them without any specific prompting from someone else.

In contrast, the other scenarios do not illustrate a tact. When the child says "Water!" due to thirst, it reflects a need for a specific item rather than labeling what they see; this serves more as a mand, which is a request for something. The questioning response of "Why?" indicates the child's request for justification, which does not pertain to labeling or commenting on an observable situation. Lastly, the exclamation "Stop!" during playtime might represent a reaction or directive to another person rather than labeling an observable stimulus, further distinguishing it from the tact exemplified in the correct scenario.