September 8, 2016

September 8, 2016 

Written by Maximus Peperkamp, M.S. Verbal Engineer

Dear Reader,

This is my twelfth and last response to “Verbal behavior in clinical context: behavior analysis methodological contributions” by Zamignani and Meyer (2007). I think that the “methodological challenges” are maintained by high rates of Noxious Verbal Behavior (NVB) and can and will be resolved by high rates of Sound Verbal Behaivor (SVB).

I agree with these researchers that “The success of the enterprise of the analytical-behavioral clinic research will depend on the way that the methodological challenges are carried out.” If behaviorist knew how often they, just like everyone else, are trapped in NVB, they would immediately acknowledge the importance of the SVB/NVB distinction.  

“The nature of the phenomenon being dealt with in the clinic, as well as specificities of the analytical-behavioral theory in the interpretation

of these phenomenons impose a search for new methodologies and the recognition of the reach and limitations of each method used.”

I write these words to present a methodology which far outreaches the methods described in this paper. Although “many steps have been taken towards comprehending the clinical interaction” they haven’t and couldn’t lead to an understanding of the SVB/NVB distinction, as they were “questions” by speakers who weren’t listening to themselves.

These investigators aim to understand  phenomena but downplay the importance of experiencing them. Their emphasis on what we say and their lack of attention for how we say it describes NVB, disembodied or decontextualized communication.  Unless we explore the paths of investigation that will be open to us if we learn to stimulate and maintain SVB, our theories remain more important than practice.

Researchers must listen to those who actually practice “analytical- behavioral therapy,” as only they really know what it takes to help clients solve their problems. The questions that “guarantee the obtention of useful responses” come only from therapists with SVB.