The War Between Mentalism and Behaviorism

The War Between Mentalism and Behaviorism PDF Author: William R. Uttal
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1135665990
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 371

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Book Description
This book considers one of the most fundamental, but only infrequently considered, issues in psychology--Are mental processes accessible by means of verbal reports and/or experimental assays? It is argues that this is the main characteristic distinguishing between behaviorism and mentalistic cognitivism. The answer posed by the author is that, with few exceptions and for the most fundamental reasons, mental processes are not accessible and that any psychology, such as contemporary cognitivism, based on a putative analysis of mind into its mental components must be fallacious. Classic and modern arguments against both mentalism and behaviorism are reviewed. In general, it is concluded that most antibehaviorist arguments are based on second order humanistic considerations rather than those underlying the usual scientific standards. Behaviorism represents the best that can be done in a situation of fundamental immeasurability and uncertainty. A modern version is offered in the final chapter of this book.

The War Between Mentalism and Behaviorism

The War Between Mentalism and Behaviorism PDF Author: William R. Uttal
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1135665990
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 371

Get Book

Book Description
This book considers one of the most fundamental, but only infrequently considered, issues in psychology--Are mental processes accessible by means of verbal reports and/or experimental assays? It is argues that this is the main characteristic distinguishing between behaviorism and mentalistic cognitivism. The answer posed by the author is that, with few exceptions and for the most fundamental reasons, mental processes are not accessible and that any psychology, such as contemporary cognitivism, based on a putative analysis of mind into its mental components must be fallacious. Classic and modern arguments against both mentalism and behaviorism are reviewed. In general, it is concluded that most antibehaviorist arguments are based on second order humanistic considerations rather than those underlying the usual scientific standards. Behaviorism represents the best that can be done in a situation of fundamental immeasurability and uncertainty. A modern version is offered in the final chapter of this book.

The War Between Mentalism and Behaviorism

The War Between Mentalism and Behaviorism PDF Author: William R. Uttal
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1135666008
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 218

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Book Description
This book examines the question--are mental processes accessible-- within the context of reviewing the past, present, and desirable future of behaviorism.

A Behaviorist Looks at Form Recognition

A Behaviorist Looks at Form Recognition PDF Author: William R. Uttal
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1135636389
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 318

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Book Description
For many years behaviorism was criticized because it rejected the study of perception. This rejection was based on the extreme view that percepts were internal subjective experiences and thus not subject to examination. This book argues that this logic is incorrect and shows how visual perception, particularized in the study of form recognition, can be carried out from the behavioral point of view if certain constraints and limitations are understood and accepted. The book discusses the idea of representation of forms, considers the major historical neural, psychological, and computational theories of form recognition, and then concludes by presenting a modern approach to the problem. In this book, William Uttal continues his critical analysis of the foundations of modern psychology. He is particularly concerned with the logical and conceptual foundations of visual perception and uses form recognition as a vehicle to rationalize the discrepancies between classic behaviorism and what we now appreciate are legitimate research areas.

Besieged by Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Besieged by Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder PDF Author: Eric Shyman
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 0739193201
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 231

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Book Description
Beginning with the claim that the field of educating individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder is hyper focused on behavior analytic methodologies, Eric Shyman proffers a polemic in support of comprehensive educational approaches including relationship-based, sensory, and behavioral components. By tracing the history of the development of behavior analysis, interrogating its connection with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and deeply identifying and exploring the strengths and weaknesses of multiple approaches that have been suggested for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Shyman argues that for reasons as vast as best practice and social justice, a comprehensive educational approach is the only methodology that could be suitable for the complex and individualized needs presented by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

About Behaviorism

About Behaviorism PDF Author: B.F. Skinner
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 0307797848
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
The basic book about the controversial philosophy known as behaviorism, written by its leading exponent.

Mathematical Principles of Human Conceptual Behavior

Mathematical Principles of Human Conceptual Behavior PDF Author: Ronaldo Vigo
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1134690363
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Book Description
The ability to learn concepts lies at the very core of human cognition, enabling us to efficiently classify, organize, identify, and store complex information. In view of the basic role that concepts play in our everyday physical and mental lives, the fields of cognitive science and psychology face three long standing challenges: discovering the laws that govern concept learning and categorization behavior in organisms, showing how they inform other areas of cognitive research, and describing them with the mathematical systematicity and precision found in the physical sciences. In light of these theoretical and methodological shortcomings, this volume will introduce a set of general mathematical principles for predicting and explaining conceptual behavior. The author’s theory is based on seven fundamental constructs of universal science: invariance, complexity, information, similarity, dissimilarity, pattern, and representation. These constructs are joined by a novel mathematical framework that does not depend on probability theory, and derives key results from conceptual behavior research with other key areas of cognitive research such as pattern perception, similarity assessment, and contextual choice. The result is a unique and systematic unifying foundation for cognitive science in the tradition of classical physics.

21st Century Psychology: A Reference Handbook

21st Century Psychology: A Reference Handbook PDF Author: Stephen F. Davis
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1412949688
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 1073

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Book Description
Highlights the most important topics, issues, questions, and debates in the field of psychology. Provides material of interest for students from all corners of psychological studies, whether their interests be in the biological, cognitive, developmental, social, or clinical arenas.

Behavior Theory and Philosophy

Behavior Theory and Philosophy PDF Author: Kennon A. Lattal
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1475745907
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 544

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Book Description
This volume has three goals with respect to the interplay between philosophy and behavioral psychology's experimental, applied, and interpretive levels of knowing. It aims to examine core principles in the philosophy of science, as they are interpreted by and relate to behavioral psychology; how these core principles interact with different problem areas in the study of human behavior; and how experimental, applied, and interpretive analyses complement one another to advance the understanding of behavior and, in so doing, also the philosophy of science.

Dualism

Dualism PDF Author: William R. Uttal
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135608598
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 395

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Book Description
Directed to scholars and senior-level graduate students, this book is an iconoclastic survey of the history of dualism and its impact on contemporary cognitive psychology. It argues that much of modern cognitive or mentalist psychology is built upon a cryptodualism--the idea that the mind and brain can be thought of as independent entities. This dualism pervades so much of society that it covertly influences many aspects of modern science, particularly psychology. To support the argument, the history of dualism is extended over 100,000 years--from the Paleolithic times until modern philosophical and psychological thinking. The questions regarding this topic that are answered in the book are: 1) Does dualism influence the scientific theories of psychology? 2) If so, should dualism be put aside in the search for a more objective analysis of human mentation?

Psychology of Learning and Motivation

Psychology of Learning and Motivation PDF Author:
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 9780080522739
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 381

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Book Description
The Psychology of Learning and Motivation publishes empirical and theoretical contributions in cognitive and experimental psychology, ranging from classical and instrumental conditioning to complex learning and problem solving. Each chapter provides a thoughtful integration of a body of work. Volume 40 includes in its coverage chapters on memory, categorization, implicit and explicit learning, and the effects of rewards and punishments on learning.