Mand (psychology)

The mand form, being under the control of deprivation and stimulation, will vary in energy level. Dynamic qualities are to be understood as variations that arise as a function of multiple causes. Dynamic, in this case, as opposed to how someone reading from a text might sound if they do not simulate the normal dynamic qualities of verbal behavior. Mands tend to be permanent when they are acquired. ==Extended mands==

Emitting mands to objects or animals that cannot possibly supply an appropriate response would be an example of the extended mand. Telling "stop!" to someone out of earshot, perhaps in a film, who is about to hurt themselves is an example of the extended mand. Extended mands occur due to extended stimulus control. In the case of an extended mand, the listener is unable to deliver consequences that would reinforce the mand, but they have enough in common with listeners that have previously reinforced the mand that stimulus control can be inferred. Superstitious mands Mands directed to inanimate objects may be said to be superstitious mands. Mands to an unreliable car to "come on and start" for example may be due to a history of intermittent reinforcement. Magical mands A magical mand is a mand form where the consequences specified in the mand have never occurred. The form "Give me a million dollars" has never before produced a million dollars and so would be classified as a magical mand. Skinner posits that many literary mands are of the magical form. Prayer might also be analyzed as belonging in one of the above three categories, depending upon one's opinion of the likelihood and mechanism of its answer. ==Clinical application==

Failure to mand adequately appears to be correlated with destructive behavior. This seems to be especially true for those with developmental disabilities. The mand model is used in ABA therapy and aims to improve communication skills. The mand model involves interaction between the therapist and the child. The therapist creates an environment that encourages the child to make a request. For example, if a child likes to play with a particular toy, the therapist might hold the toy in their hands, prompting the child to ask for it. Mands play an important role in developing communication skills in children with autism and other communication disorders. One of the significant advantages of mand within therapeutic services for individuals with autism is that it can help reduce maladaptive behavior. Mand training can help these individuals navigate the communication process, first learning to make a request by using a simple gesture or word, and then gradually transitioning to using full sentences and seeking permission. Mand is a good skill for early learning because reinforcement is natural, as when they ask for something, they receive it, rather than just receiving praise or something unrelated. Once a person learns that they can access preferred items during communication, other communicative skills may follow. == See also ==