Abstract
The study of music in behavior analytic accounts constitutes a poorly addressed area of application due to conceptual incongruities in the field and a general lack of common ground between the disciplines of music and behavior analysis. This paper will examine the suitability of Skinner’s (1957) analysis of verbal behavior in describing various musical behaviors and propose clarifications of verbal behavior constructs to account for the conceptual similarities and differences between musical and verbal behaviors. The musical concepts of mimicry, relative pitch, and absolute pitch are also discussed from the perspective of a verbal behavior analysis. These are presented as examples of how presumably innate musical abilities remain subject to operant principles of behavior modification and how certain conventions of music may suggest novel functional relations that could expand the existing categorization of operants.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benedict, C., & Schmidt, P. (2015). Acts of courage: Leaping into mindful music teaching. The Canadian Music Educator, 56(3), 16–20.
Cohen, L. (1984). Hallelujah. On Various positions [CD]. Columbia Records.
Domjan, M. (2016). The Tertis/Pavlov Project. The University of Texas at Austin. https://sites.utexas.edu/tertispavlovproject/.
Greer, R. D., Dorow, L. G., Wachhaus, G., & White, E. R. (1973a). Adult approval and students’ music selection behavior. Journal of Research in Music Education, 21(4), 345–354.
Greer, R. D., Dorow, L. G., & Hanzer, S. (1973b). Music discrimination training and the music selection behavior of nursery and primary level children. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 35, 30–43.
Greer, R. D., Randall, A., & Timberlake, C. (1971). The discriminate use of music listening as a contingency for improvement in vocal pitch acuity and attending behavior. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 26, 10–18.
Greer, R. D., & Speckman, J. (2009). The integration of speaker and listener responses: A theory of verbal development. The Psychological Record, 59, 449–488.
Hedger, S. C., Heald, S. L. M., & Nusbaum, H. C. (2013). Absolute pitch may not be so absolute. Psychological Science, 24(8), 1496–1502.
Heyes, C. M., & Galef, B. G., Jr. (Eds.). (1996). Social learning in animals: The roots of culture. San Diego: Academic Press.
Kenney, S. (2009). Brain-compatible music teaching. General Music Today, 23(1), 24–26.
Madsen, C. K., Greer, R. D., Madsen, C. H., Jr. (Eds.). (1976). Research in music behavior: Modifying music behavior in the classroom. Columbia University: Teachers College Press.
Skinner, B. F. (1957). Verbal behavior. Cambridge: B. F. Skinner Foundation.
Snyder, J. (2004). Toward a behavioral account: A feedback protocol for the acquisition of absolute pitch. UNR Behavior Analysis Program Master’s Thesis.
Suzuki Association of the Americas. (2016). Website. Subsection “About the Suzuki Method.” Retrieved 12/5/16 from https://suzukiassociation.org/about/suzuki-method/.
Takeuchi, A. H., & Hulse, S. H. (1993). Absolute pitch. Psychological Bulletin, 113(2), 345–361.
Ward, W. D. (1963). Absolute pitch. Sound, 2, 14–21.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Funding
This study has no external funding to disclose.
No Conflict of Interest Exists
Benjamin Reynolds declares that he has no conflict of interest. Dr. Linda J. Parrott Hayes declares that she has no conflict of interest.
Human and Animal Rights
No human or animal subjects were involved in this study.
Ethical Approval
This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reynolds, B.S., Hayes, L.J. Parallels and Incongruities between Musical and Verbal Behaviors. Psychol Rec 67, 413–421 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-017-0221-8
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-017-0221-8