A Systematic Review of Empirical Intraverbal Research: 2021–2025

Abstract

ABSTRACT Skinner's conceptual analysis of verbal behavior has had a notable influence within the field of behavior analysis. Yet empirical verbal behavior research has historically focused on the mand and tact, with relatively less attention directed toward the intraverbal. Encouragingly, empirical and conceptual intraverbal work has been increasing over the last two decades. Most recently, a review of intraverbal research from 2015 through 2020 documented the continued growth of empirical intraverbal work. The current review replicated and extended this work by identifying and synthesizing empirical intraverbal studies published from 2021 through 2025. We identified 50 articles containing 66 experiments. We coded each to provide an updated account of participants, training components, sources of control, research emphasis, outcomes, and publication trends. Findings indicated continued growth of intraverbal research, and most experiments established intraverbals under multiple control. The current review extended a prior review by providing information regarding the nature of procedural modifications and updating how outcomes were evaluated.