April 7, 2016

April 7, 2016

Written by Maximus Peperkamp, M.S. Verbal Engineer

Dear Reader,

In “Religion as Schedule-Induced Behavior” (2009) Strand writes about the two types of religious behavior scholars have written about.  There are “foundational, genuine, or graceful religious expressions” and, on the other hand, there are “effortful religious behaviors.” These two classes map perfectly onto Sound Verbal Behavior (SVB) and Noxious Verbal Behavior (NVB), which are best described as effortless and effortful behavior. Strand insists that “these classes are distinguished not in terms of their form of topography, but rather in terms of their controlling variables.” However, this writer believes the SVB/NVB distinction only makes sense if we explain it in terms of its topography; only by listening to themselves while they speak will people focus on their sound and discriminate between these two classes. 

The SVB/NVB distinction must be distinguished in terms of its topography.  Knowing about it in terms of its controlling variables is only of secondary importance. Here, Strand’s operant orientation gets in the way of what is foundational to religious experience: the sound of our voice. However, his explanation of religious behavior “in terms of controlling variables” is useful as it fits with SVB and NVB.  He writes “Unlike foundational, religious behavior [=SVB], effortful religious behavior [=NVB] is controlled by its consequences. It is effortful [=NVB]and intentional in the sense that it is directed toward and dependent on obtaining or experiencing tangible reinforcers. It [=NVB] weakens if not reinforced. In contrast, foundational religious behavior is unaffected by consequences.” 

NVB speakers always demand attention, praise, subservience, approval, respect and acknowledgment of their presumed higher status than the listener, but SVB speakers don’t speak to maintain such hierarchical effects. Unlike the NVB speaker, who always talks AT his or her audience, the SVB speaker takes turns and talks WITH his or her listener.  The former, who always dominates, therefore has to be effortful, but the latter “does not arise out of the efforts of the person who seeks it.” This fit is no coincidence!