Conjunction Junction, What's Your Function?

[DISCLAIMER]

Photo credit, scene from “Conjunction Junction” of Schoolhouse Rock!, fair use

When I was a child, I enjoyed Schoolhouse Rock! Although I didn’t fully understand all educational content of the program, I liked season two, episode 3 that featured the animated short “Conjunction Junction.” Lyrics included:

(Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?)

Hookin’ up words and phrases and clauses

(Conjunction Junction, how’s that function?)

I’ve got three favorite cars that get most of my job done

(Conjunction Junction, what’s their function?)

I’ve got “and,” “but,” and “or,” they’ll get you pretty far

For context, one source states that in grammar, a conjunction is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, or clauses, which are called its conjuncts. For example, I never learned to properly use grammar, but that never stopped me from writing.

Similarly, according to one source, a junction, in the context of rail transport, is a place at which two or more rail routes converge or diverge. Given these points of clarification, “Conjunction Junction” taught children about how conjunctions grammatically join clauses in a sentence.

Perhaps because I often daydreamt when in school and merely enjoyed Schoolhouse Rock! for its entertainment value, I didn’t learn proper use of the English language. Nevertheless, I’ve usually excelled in writing more so than any other academic topic. Also, I enjoy the process of learning.

Therefore, I’ve found interest in how conjunctions function in regard to logic and reason. In specific, I like learning about conjunctive syllogisms and how they operate. For instance, one source states:

Conjunction is a logical operation in which an operator (in this case the conjuctive, “and,” symbolized by “ . ”), is used to connect exactly two propositions in such a way that the resulting compound proposition is true if and only if both component propositions are true, and false if either or both of the conjuncts are false.

Similar to how conjunctions operate concerning the “Conjunction Junction” song, conjunction regarding the practice of logic uses conjunctives when issuing propositional statements. For example, consider the following:

Form (conjunction) –

P and q are true separately; therefore, they are true conjointly.

Example –

I like rap music. I like electronic music. Therefore, I like rap music and electronic music.

Understanding how conjunctions functions in regard to logic can help an individual comprehend how beliefs operate. As an example, consider the following:

Form (conjunction) –

P and q are true separately; therefore, they are true conjointly.

Example –

I must do well when practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). I must do well when conveying psychoeducational lessons. Therefore, I must do well when practicing REBT and conveying psychoeducational lessons.

The conjunction “and” bridges two independent phrases. Likewise, the conjunction logical form represents how a belief is constructed. In this example, the conclusion is based on the premise of demandingness and constitutes an irrational belief.

This unhelpful assumption often uses “should,” “must,” or “ought,” like conjunctions use “and,” “but,” and “or,” though the function of self-disturbing demands is different. This is because inflexible prescriptions afford little opportunity for nuanced or balanced perspectives.

Granting that I’d prefer to do well when practicing REBT and I’d like to do well when conveying psychoeducational lessons, it isn’t the case that I absolutistically must do well in this regard. Thus, preferences versus demands allow for more nuanced and balanced perspectives.

Herein, I’ve briefly described how grammatical and logical conjunctions operate. Likewise, I’ve illustrated the distinction between inflexible demandingness and flexible preference. If you’d like to know more about belief construction and its function, I’m look forward to hearing from you.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

Hollings, D. (2024, July 9). Absolutistic should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/absolutistic-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, November 15). Assumptions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/assumptions

Hollings, D. (2022, October 31). Demandingness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/demandingness

Hollings, D. (2022, October 5). Description vs. prescription. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/description-vs-prescription

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2024, April 2). Four major irrational beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/four-major-irrational-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings

Hollings, D. (2023, April 24). On truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-truth

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought

Hollings, D. (2023, October 17). Syllogism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/syllogism

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Naugle. (n.d.). Conjunctive syllogisms & dilemmas. Dallas Baptist University. Retrieved from https://www3.dbu.edu/naugle/pdf/2302_handouts/conjunctive_syll_dil.pdf

Schoolhouse Rock. (2014, August 18). Grammar - Conjunction Junction - Schoolhouse Rock [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/LjdCFat9rjI?si=lrCuZ96oBOiyy9Vu

Soundcheck. (2013, February 8). Bob Dorough takes us to Conjunction Junction [Image]. WNYC Studios. Retrieved from https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/soundcheck/segments/268039-bob-dorough-takes-us-conjunction-junction

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Conjunction (grammar). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunction_(grammar)

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Junction (rail). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junction_(rail)#:~:text=A%20junction%2C%20in%20the%20context,US:%20switches)%20and%20signalling.

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Schoolhouse Rock! Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schoolhouse_Rock!