Verbal Behavior: Extended Edition. Chapter 2: General Problems. Quote 16

In teaching the young child to talk, the formal specifications upon which reinforcement is contingent are at first greatly relaxed. Any response which vaguely resembles the standard behavior of the community is reinforced. When these begin to appear frequently, a closer approximation is insisted upon. In this manner very complex verbal forms may be reached. (pp. 29-30)

Leave a Reply