Behaviorist Arguments

Criticisms of Behaviorist Arguments

Behaviorist Responses to Criticisms

Observation: The Case against Introspection

begs the question of what is objective, or is based on metaphysical notions of objectivity.

Introspection is to be rejected because introspective evidence and observations are private, i.e., available only to one observer, and are thus not objective.

Private = subjective. Public = objective.

evidence about the subject's prior and subsequent behavior, the subject's accuracy in reporting other kinds of observations, and reports of other introspectors.

All observation is private: Knowledge of the external world is really an inference from the immediate but private percept.

Private = subjective. Public = intersubjective.

The Behavioral Data Language: Selection of a Domain for Psychology

Molar Behaviorism: A science of behavior autonomous from physiology is possible and desirable.

Molar behaviorism, but not physiological psychology, leads to easy prediction and control, partly because behavioral variables are observable. Concern with physiology leads to lack of concern for behavior. Physiological psychology finds a proximate cause, but leaves it unexplained, opening the door to magical explanations in terms of agents and wills.

Behavioral research leads to the discovery of laws, some of which cover more than behavior simply conceived. "Behavior" can be defined as whatever conforms to these laws. These laws are then organized by behavioral theories.

The Behavioral Data Language: Selection of a Descriptive Language for Observational Reports

Although theory influences observation, this influence can be overcome by observing more carefully, thereby leading to an objective database.

theory-neutral facts, or theory-laden facts from another theoretical orientation, and if the theory-ladenness thesis is itself a theory, then it will dictate observations that confirm itself.

There is a continuum from more to less theory-laden observational descriptions. Intersubjective agreement on descriptions indicates an acceptable degree of "objectivity."

Intentional, purposive descriptions are highly interpretive, and therefore do not allow intersubjective consensus. Purposive qualities should always be explained in terms of more basic properties of behavior.

Intentional, purposive qualities of behavior can be attributed to organisms on the basis of objective criteria, and therefore allow intersubjective consensus. Purposive qualities are emergent, and therefore cannot be explained in terms of more basic qualities of behavior.

Theoretical Concepts

Theoretical concepts are to be linked to the data language through operational definitions.

ignore differences and consider two things similar, or ignore similarities and consider two things different.

distinctions are actually drawn only after the fact, in such a way as to maximize simplicity and comprehensiveness. Even an operational definition is subject to change after the fact.

Use of intervening variables should be allowed, but such variables are only labels for observed relationships, they are not unobserved entities or events. There is no unique set of valid intervening variables, and they have no unique representation.

intervening variables are not truly explanatory. Black-box, input-output laws may allow prediction, but not explanation. Hypothetical constructs should be allowed because they lead to scientific progress. The history of science shows that unobservable hypothethical constructs have had the properties imputed to them when they were later able to be observed.

Use of hypothetical constructs should be allowed, and such constructs refer to unobserved entities or events, much as in physics.

in psychology theoretical terms are not introduced through a postulate set, psychologists bring folk psychology concepts into their work, and psychology is a less well-developed science.

Use of hypothetical constructs should be allowed, because hypothetical constructs bridge the gap between psychology and physiology.

hypothetical constructs may be no better for theoretical reduction than intervening variables, and physiological mechanisms are only conventions in the same sense that intervening variables are.

Theorizing

Hull's hypothetico-deductive method: A theory allows the deduction of theorems about observables, and these theorems can be tested experimentally. A theory that is confirmed by repeated tests allows prediction and control. (There is nothing so practical as a good theory.) Skinner's experimental analysis of behavior: Research should be conducted not to test theorems, but to find orderliness in behavior. The search for orderliness is intuitive, rather than structured by scientific method. A theory is a formulation that uses a small number of terms to explain a large number of facts.

observation is not theory-independent, it is theory-laden. Therefore, observation can neither test a theory (Hull) nor broaden a theory (Skinner). Data do not dictate theory; rather
(a) theory determines what is taken as fact,
(b) theory cannot always adjust to fit contradictory data, and
(c) sociological factors, rather than data, often determine a theory's acceptance or rejection.

S-R Psychology

Environmental events that do not elicit a particular movement can come to do so through learning. Thus, a particular stimulus is not a necessary condition for a particular response. Learning consists of the association of stimuli and responses.

BUT learning should be described as the acquisition of knowledge.

The Organization of Behavior: Purpose