May 30, 2016

May 30, 2016

Written by Maximus Peperkamp, M.S. Verbal Engineer

Dear Reader,

Once you learn about the Sound Verbal Behavior (SVB)/ Noxious Verbal Behavior (NVB) distinction, you become part of the scientific community. The verbal community to which you belong gave you language, but didn’t and   couldn’t provide you with precise stimulus control. 

The increase of your SVB and the decrease, and, ultimately, the extinction of your NVB is only possible if you know what environmental variables can accomplish this. As long as you are not objective about it, you  continue to have problems with spoken communication. 

If you were as scientific about talking as you are about your car, you would have better relationships. Unless you turn the key to start your engine, unless your tank is full of gas, your car won’t drive. 

You know what sets the stage for driving your car. That is why you keep your car keys nearby and make sure you gas up regularly. However, the same is not true about the conversations you have with others and yourself. 

In what he referred to as his most important work, Verbal Behavior (1957), B.F. Skinner explains “The scientific community encourages the precise stimulus control under which an object or property of an object is identified or characterized in such a way that practical action will be most effective” (1957, p.419).

Once you explore the SVB/NVB distinction, it becomes  crystal clear that NVB besides being energy-consuming and effortful, is utterly impractical and ineffective. Yet NVB happens at a much higher rate than SVB, which is energizing, effortless, practical and effective. 

You tolerate this absurd state of affairs about how you  communicate as you don’t really know how to change it. Your transition and liberation from your pre-scientific verbal community and your graduation to the scientific verbal community will only be possible with your SVB.