Understanding Bobby's Behavior: A Closer Look at Listener Skills

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Explanation:

Listener Skills vs. Intraverbal Skills vs. Tact

In the given scenario where Bobby looks at the RBT, the behavior demonstrated can be considered a listener skill. Listener responding, or listener skills, in the context of applied behavior analysis (ABA), refers to a person's ability to respond appropriately to another's verbal behavior. For instance, when an instructor asks a student to point to an object and the student complies by looking or pointing at the object, they are demonstrating listener skills. This skill is crucial for social interaction and following instructions.

Listener skills differ from intraverbal skills, where a person responds conversationally to another's language without any visual prompts. In intraverbal skills, the response is based on the verbal stimuli received. For example, answering questions or engaging in conversation without the need for direct visual cues.

On the other hand, tact refers to labeling or commenting about an object or event after direct contact with it. When Bobby looks at the RBT in the given scenario, he is not labeling or commenting on anything but simply responding to the RBT's verbal behavior by making eye contact. This falls under the category of listener skills as he is appropriately reacting to the RBT's verbal cue.

Overall, listener skills play a crucial role in communication and social interactions, as they enable individuals to understand and respond to others effectively. In the case of Bobby, his behavior of looking at the RBT showcases his ability to engage in listener responding, which is an essential skill for effective communication and social engagement.