Professor Windham asks her general psychology students to give an example of an overt behavior. Which of the following would be an example of an overt behavior?

(A) feeling happy that class is almost over
(B) remembering the definition of overt behavior
(C) daydreaming about the coming weekend
(D) gesturing to someone to come over to the group

The correct answer is letter D

Overt behavior is important, but also covert behaviors. The difference between open and covert behavior lies in the issue of accessibility. While open behaviors are subject to direct observation by two or more people, covert behaviors are subject to direct observation only by the person who lives the contingency.

The covert behaviors may have parts of the antecedent stimulus - response - reinforcing stimulus relationship as covert, in most cases only the responses are considered covert. These responses can be emotions, feelings, thoughts, dreams, fantasy.

manifest functions are the recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern, while latent functions are those unrecognized and unintended consequences. to analyze the manifest functions of any social institution, we have to study its contribution to the continuation of a group, community, or society.