ABSTRACT
We saw in Chapter 5 how predictive learning principles could be applied to the acquisition of word meaning. Basically, Skinner argued that words could serve as overt and covert substitutes for the control learning ABCs (antecedents, behaviors, consequences). As antecedents, words could function as discriminative stimuli and warning stimuli. For example, “Here is ice cream” or “Heads up.” Words can describe behaviors (e.g., “Give mommy a kiss” or “Be careful crossing the street”). As consequences, words could substitute for reinforcers and punishers (e.g., “Thank you.” “Stop that!”). A rule is a common, useful, and important v erbal statement that includes each of the control learning ABCs (Hayes, 1989). That is, a rule specifies the circumstances (antecedents) under which a particular act (behavior) is rewarded or punished (consequence). For example, a parent might instruct a child, “At dinner, if you eat your vegetables, you can have your dessert” or “When you get to the curb, look both ways before crossing the street or you could get hit by a car.”
