June 19, 2014

June 19, 2014

Written by Maximus Peperkamp, M.S. Verbal Behaviorist

Dear Reader, 

 

Today’s writing focuses on processes, which can be endlessly discussed without ever realizing what it is that is making them possible or rather of what these processes are a function. If we have real communication, we have what this author calls Sound Verbal Behavior (SVB). Let’s think for a moment of the description, explanation, prediction and control of behavior.  These four behaviors are performed by scientists. Only SVB sets the stage for each these four behaviors. 

If we accurately describe, explain, predict and control the way in which we communicate, we will have SVB. Thus, SVB the scientific way of communicating. If our descriptions are incorrect, we are NOT communicating. If our explanations are wrong, we don’t know what we are talking about. If our predictions prove to be useless, we are talking nonsense. If the control of our own behavior or of the behavior of others isn’t working, our talk about control  is wish-full thinking. If, in our descriptions, we can’t even agree on the use of certain terms, then we are NOT communicating. Even to disagree, we need to agree on what certain terms mean. If, we keep producing explanations, which are confusing to others, which don’t make any sense to others, which are not understood or believed by others, then we are NOT communicating. If we keep writing, saying, thinking, praying, demanding, hoping and dreaming that things are going to happen, but, if these things don’t happen, can’t happen, haven’t happened and are not going to happen, the such so-called predictions prevent us from communicating. The repeated expression of our false predictions does NOT and can NOT result in communication. If we lose control over ourselves or each other, because how we communicate, that is, if we don’t, while we talk, co-regulate each other, but dis-regulate each other, then we are NOT communicating. These are all examples of what this author calls Noxious Verbal Behavior (NVB). When we are biased, unaccountable, out of touch, isolated, dogmatic, predetermined and fanatic, we produce NVB.