Which verbal operant is most closely associated with imitating spoken words?

The verbal operant most closely associated with imitating spoken words is echoic. An echoic occurs when an individual repeats or mimics the verbal behavior they hear, typically involving the same words and sounds in a direct manner. This operant emphasizes the importance of auditory stimuli and the replication of those sounds, making it fundamental in language development and learning.

In contrast, mand refers to a type of verbal behavior where an individual requests or commands something. Tact involves labeling or naming objects and events, which is not necessarily about imitation but rather about identifying and describing them. Intraverbal behavior involves responding to the verbal behavior of others without the immediate context of what was heard, focusing on conversation and dialogue rather than direct replication. Thus, the echoic operant stands out for its core function of imitating spoken words.