Autoclitics are one of the six primary operants that comprise B.F.Skinner's analysis of Verbal Behavior
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An autoclitic is a form of verbal behavior which modifies the functions of other forms of verbal behavior. For example, "I think it is raining" possesses the autoclitic "I think" which moderates the strength of the statement "it is raining". An example of research that involved autoclitics might be Lodhi & Greer (1989). [1]
A speaker may acquire verbal behavior that is descriptive of their own behavior. I said I love Noam Chomsky is a descriptive autoclitic which describes the behavior of talking about one's own behavior. They may also describe strength of response, as the emission of I think is often used to indicate some level of weakness, as in I love Noam Chomsky, I think.
Grammatical manipulations, such as the order or grouping of responses, is described by Skinner as autoclitic. The ordering of patterns may be a function of relevant strength, temporal ordering, or other factors. Skinner here speaks to the use of predication and the use of tags, contrasting the Latin forms which use tags and English which using grouping and ordering. Skinner proposes the relational autoclitic as a descriptor for these kinds of relationships.
Composition represents a special class of autoclitic responding, because the responding is itself a response to previously existing verbal responses. The autoclitic is controlled not only by the effects on the listener but upon the speaker as listener of their own responses. Skinner notes that 'emotional and imaginal' behavior has little to do with grammar and syntax. Obscene words and poetry are likely to be effective even when emitted non-grammatically.
Self editing as a compositional process follows the autoclitic process of manipulating responses. After the responses are changed with autoclitics they are examined for their effects and then 'rejected or released'. Conditions may arise which prevent self-editing, such as a very high response strength.
The physical topography of the rejection of verbal behavior in the process of editing varies from the partial emission of a written word to the apparent non-emission of a vocal response. It may include ensuring that responses simply do not reach a listener, as in not delivering a manuscript or letter. Manipulative autoclitics can revoke words by striking them out, as in a court of law. Similar effects may arise from expression like Forget it.
A speaker may fail to react as a listener to their own speech under conditions where the emission of verbal responses is very quick. The speed may be a function of strength or of differential reinforcement. Physical interruption may arise as in the case of those who are hearing impaired, or under conditions of mechanical impairment such as ambient noise. Skinner notes the Ouija board may operate to mask feedback and so produce unedited verbal behavior.
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