No two theories are more closely entwined than Evolution and Behaviorism. The one attempting to link the physical forms of natural organisms, one to another; the other focused on understanding the patterned behaviors of those organisms.
Applied to human beings, the two are inextricably linked because they reflect two unique dimensions of human existence. Evolution traces the required natural developmental steps in man’s physical form, right down to the level of genetic adaptations, while Behaviorism seeks to elucidate the development of his social behavior down to the level of individual habits.
Many believe that there is no reason why the human genetic model, which is so highly successful in biology, cannot be applied to these two theoretical dimensions in order to form an equally successful model for both psychology and natural science. The theories of Evolution and Behaviorism represent two dimensions of human existence. They are, in effect, chromosomes of human existence which are somehow linked together.
Sensations as a Bonding Agent
The bonding agent in this linking process is sensations; sensations occur in varying combinations and with differing degrees of intensity. Obviously, the more complex the organisms involved, the more intensive the degree of sensation(s) required for a successful bonding to occur.
Required Evolutionary Steps and Social Constructs
In Evolution, certain steps or specific adaptations are required for the development and continuation of a species. These steps are referred to as Required Evolutionary Steps.
Likewise, In Behaviorism there are behavioral patterns which are necessary in order for encounters and/or interactions between members of a given species to occur. These are considered to be Social Constructs. A Social Construct might be any given interaction, habit, behavior, mannerism or ritual for social encounters and/or interactions between members of a given species.
Required Evolutionary Steps and Social Constructs are like genes on the Evolution and Behaviorism chromosomes.
The Evolution Chromosome
In natural evolution, as first envisioned by Charles Darwin in 1882, animal species undergo physical adaptations until they achieve their greatest potential, exist for a while, then gradually die out. As any given species dies out, a new species emerges to replace it. The new species, ideally, evolves through successful mating between similar species.
Evolutionary theory dictates that humans evolved from apes. Yet, the inferior lines never achieved the degree of development which modern human beings have; so, they remained apes: "Do the races or species of men, whichever term may be applied, encroach on and replace one another, so that some finally become extinct? We shall see that all these questionings, as indeed is obvious in respect to most of them, must be answered in the affirmative, in the same manner as with lower animals."
A new species is formed when members of very closely related species mate. The fact that a specimen of the critical link between two species, i.e., apes and humans, has not yet been found is not of primary concern. What is important is the close examination of a species in order to determine the Required Evolutionary Steps represented in the species’ physical form; of which mating is one.
Mating is naturally required in order to perpetuate the species. And, this mating step is akin to a gene on the human evolutionary chromosome.
The Behaviorism Chromosome
Behaviorism, in theory, has always proffered a solution for individually problematic behaviors, negative patterns of social interaction, as well as fundamentally destructive social constructs. To date, however, the connection between the natural physical development of a species, i.e. humans, and their social interaction has been so unreliable that most have abandoned Behaviorism and its positive applications, with only a few narrow exceptions, i.e., behavior modification for bad habits such as smoking.
But if Behaviorism, like Evolution, is recast and viewed as a chromosome of human existence, connection between the two becomes readily apparent. Perhaps this is closer to what John B. Watson intended in formulating his theory of Radical Behaviorism, when he said, "Psychology as the behaviorist views it is a purely objective experimental branch of natural science. Its theoretical goal is the prediction and control of behavior."
The Behaviorism Chromosome can be used to trace negative and problematic behavioral patterns to specific Required Evolutionary Steps in human development. If this can be done successfully, then problematic behaviors, negative patterns of social conduct, and destructive social arrangements may not only be identified, but also avoided, corrected, and/or controlled.
Author George P.
Applied to human beings, the two are inextricably linked because they reflect two unique dimensions of human existence. Evolution traces the required natural developmental steps in man’s physical form, right down to the level of genetic adaptations, while Behaviorism seeks to elucidate the development of his social behavior down to the level of individual habits.
Many believe that there is no reason why the human genetic model, which is so highly successful in biology, cannot be applied to these two theoretical dimensions in order to form an equally successful model for both psychology and natural science. The theories of Evolution and Behaviorism represent two dimensions of human existence. They are, in effect, chromosomes of human existence which are somehow linked together.
Sensations as a Bonding Agent
The bonding agent in this linking process is sensations; sensations occur in varying combinations and with differing degrees of intensity. Obviously, the more complex the organisms involved, the more intensive the degree of sensation(s) required for a successful bonding to occur.
Required Evolutionary Steps and Social Constructs
In Evolution, certain steps or specific adaptations are required for the development and continuation of a species. These steps are referred to as Required Evolutionary Steps.
Likewise, In Behaviorism there are behavioral patterns which are necessary in order for encounters and/or interactions between members of a given species to occur. These are considered to be Social Constructs. A Social Construct might be any given interaction, habit, behavior, mannerism or ritual for social encounters and/or interactions between members of a given species.
Required Evolutionary Steps and Social Constructs are like genes on the Evolution and Behaviorism chromosomes.
The Evolution Chromosome
In natural evolution, as first envisioned by Charles Darwin in 1882, animal species undergo physical adaptations until they achieve their greatest potential, exist for a while, then gradually die out. As any given species dies out, a new species emerges to replace it. The new species, ideally, evolves through successful mating between similar species.
Evolutionary theory dictates that humans evolved from apes. Yet, the inferior lines never achieved the degree of development which modern human beings have; so, they remained apes: "Do the races or species of men, whichever term may be applied, encroach on and replace one another, so that some finally become extinct? We shall see that all these questionings, as indeed is obvious in respect to most of them, must be answered in the affirmative, in the same manner as with lower animals."
A new species is formed when members of very closely related species mate. The fact that a specimen of the critical link between two species, i.e., apes and humans, has not yet been found is not of primary concern. What is important is the close examination of a species in order to determine the Required Evolutionary Steps represented in the species’ physical form; of which mating is one.
Mating is naturally required in order to perpetuate the species. And, this mating step is akin to a gene on the human evolutionary chromosome.
The Behaviorism Chromosome
Behaviorism, in theory, has always proffered a solution for individually problematic behaviors, negative patterns of social interaction, as well as fundamentally destructive social constructs. To date, however, the connection between the natural physical development of a species, i.e. humans, and their social interaction has been so unreliable that most have abandoned Behaviorism and its positive applications, with only a few narrow exceptions, i.e., behavior modification for bad habits such as smoking.
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But if Behaviorism, like Evolution, is recast and viewed as a chromosome of human existence, connection between the two becomes readily apparent. Perhaps this is closer to what John B. Watson intended in formulating his theory of Radical Behaviorism, when he said, "Psychology as the behaviorist views it is a purely objective experimental branch of natural science. Its theoretical goal is the prediction and control of behavior."
The Behaviorism Chromosome can be used to trace negative and problematic behavioral patterns to specific Required Evolutionary Steps in human development. If this can be done successfully, then problematic behaviors, negative patterns of social conduct, and destructive social arrangements may not only be identified, but also avoided, corrected, and/or controlled.
Author George P.
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