Which type of verbal behavior involves a response controlled by a current unlearned or learned establishing operation?

The correct choice is a Mand. A Mand is a type of verbal behavior that occurs when a speaker requests or demands something based on a specific need or want, which is influenced by an establishing operation. This establishing operation can be either unlearned, such as a biological need (e.g., hunger), or learned, which might involve a specific context or situation where the speaker has previously learned to ask for something.

In a Mand, the response is directly controlled by the current motivation or state of the speaker, meaning that the act of requesting is driven by the desire to fulfill a need. For instance, if someone is thirsty, they may say "water" to indicate their desire for a drink. The effectiveness of the Mand relies on the immediacy of the establishing operation—the individual only has the motivation to request that item or action because of their current desire.

Other types of verbal behavior do not involve this direct control by a motivational state in the same way. A Tact refers to labeling or commenting on the environment without the expectation of receiving the item or action requested; an Echoic involves repeating what someone else has said without any immediate need or motivation influencing the response; and an Intraverbal is when a person responds based on another's verbal