Table 2.

An example of different operants that are topographically different, but have similar antecedent controlling variables and are maintained by similar consequences

Verbal operant	Antecedent	Response	Consequence
Listener responding by feature, function, class	“Where do you sleep?” with a picture scene (or other visual) present	Points to a bed	Nonspecific reinforcement/praise
Intraverbal	“Where do you sleep?” with no relevant visuals	“Bed”	Nonspecific reinforcement/praise