November 10, 2014

November 10, 2014

Written by Maximus Peperkamp, M.S. Verbal Behaviorist

Dear Reader, 

 

To investigate Sound Verbal Behavior (SVB), we have to do a lab experiment in which we focus on only just one thing. To be able to explore what it takes to listen to ourselves while we speak, we must eliminate anything that is interfering with our study. This will help us to see or rather, to hear, how SVB works. We must identify SVB so that we can look at its properties. There is only so much we can know about why someone engages in SVB. Many reasons remain out of sight because they are part of a person’s behavioral history to which we don’t have any access. Our best option is to look at and to listen to what happens in the moment and to give an interpretation of what we observe. We are not aiming to give a complete account of all variables that are involved in why a person has SVB or Noxious Verbal Behavior (SVB), but the fact that it is impossible to know all the facts doesn’t prevent us from observing what is available to us. With our descriptions of what happens during SVB and NVB we are not trying to explain it. 

The properties of our stable laboratory environment are called stimuli. The sound of our voices are stimuli. However, the properties of speaking, the behavior which we are trying to know more about, are called responses. An experimental account is never only about stimuli or responses by themselves, but it always looks at how the two are related. The behaviorologist is interested in how stimulus changes can cause a change in the rate of responding. Moreover, in this lab experiment, we are trying to get clear about under what circumstances these stimulus changes and these response changes occur. We identify environmental changes which directly affect rate of responding, but also take note of the reinforcement of responses that happen after the response, postcedently. 

NVB is mostly directly reinforced, while reinforcement of SVB often only happens later on. NVB is based on instant-gratification, while in SVB gratification is often delayed.  Since the reward of SVB will always come in the future, the anticipation of this future reward is in itself rewarding. Another important difference between SVB and NVB is that in the former responses produce stimuli, while in the latter stimuli produce responses. Stated differently, SVB is mainly an operant behavior, because the consequences are delayed, while NVB because of its immediate effect is a respondent behavior. During SVB other stimuli become available which can only become available during SVB. SVB is like turning on the light, so that we can see things. NVB, on the other hand, is like turning off the light, so that things become invisible and hidden. SVB is the language of honesty and truthfulness.