24.6 Generic Extension Intraverbal Example
In the intraverbal, the novel stimulus may be a complex verbal description or definition. The appropriate verbal response may be the result of generic extension if all of the relevant descriptive or defining words are present that were also present when the response was acquired under the control of the original description.
| Reinforced Response | Generic Extension |
|---|---|
| Saying “fox” when someone asks “What is an awesome canine?” | Saying “fox” when someone asks “What is an awesome canine with large ears and a bushy tail?” |
Generic Extension
An instance of verbal behavior with the following features:
The response form must be a previously learned one
The stimulus must be novel
The novel stimulus must have all of the relevant features of the stimulus that previously controlled the response
The type of elementary verbal relationship between the stimulus and the response
Formal and dynamic characteristics of the response
Formal or dynamic characteristics of the stimulus
Whether or not the current response is followed by reinforcement