Which verbal operant is primarily concerned with expressing needs?

The correct answer is focused on the concept of mands, which are verbal operants that specifically involve requesting or expressing a need. When a person uses a mand, they are directly asking for something they want or require, such as food, help, or attention. This form of communication is pivotal in various learning and behavioral contexts as it emphasizes the individual's ability to express their desires and control their environment.

Mands are significant because they not only communicate a need but also serve as a mechanism for the speaker to gain access to reinforcers in their environment. For example, a child might say "water" when thirsty, thereby prompting a response from another person to fulfill that need.

In contrast, tacts relate to labeling and describing objects or events in the environment without a direct need expressed. Intraverbals involve conversing or responding to questions, while echoics focus on repeating what has been heard. These other verbal operants do not primarily emphasize the expression of needs in the same way that mands do.