Religion as schedule-induced behavior.
The Behavior analyst 2009 DOI: 10.1007/bf03392183 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that a class of religious behaviors is schedule-induced, triggered by specific stimuli on a response-independent schedule, and that this nonoperant class, alongside operant behaviors, forms two distinct types of religious behavior. This dichotomy aligns with the distinction between "graceful" and "effortful" religious behaviors and offers explanations for previously overlooked aspects of religious experience. |
Abstract
In this article, I argue that a class of religious behaviors exists that is induced, for prepared organisms, by specific stimuli that are experienced according to a response-independent schedule. Like other schedule-induced behaviors, the members of this class serve as minimal units out of which functional behavior may arise. In this way, there exist two classes of religious behavior: nonoperant schedule-induced behaviors and operant behaviors. This dichotomy is consistent with the distinction insisted upon by religious scholars and philosophers between "graceful" and "effortful" religious behaviors. Embracing the distinction allows an explanation of many aspects of religious experience and behavior that have been overlooked or disregarded by other scientific approaches to religion.