Abstract

CARRARA, Kester. Causality, functional relations and contextualism: some questions rising from radical behaviorism. Interações [online]. 2004, vol.9, n.17, pp.29-54. ISSN 1413-2907.

This article is characterized as a theoretical study about the possibilities identified in the conceptual instruments of Stephen C. Pepper’s contextualism to subsidize the broadening of focus of the analysis of social interactions carried out by analysts of behavior. The concept of root metaphors is examined, as well as the idea of act or behavior-in- context and the distinctive role of the functional relations prioritized by the Radical Behaviorism in opposition to the classic option of linear causality. The results are assumptions, based in the literature of the last fifteen years on contextualism-behaviorism relations, about some characteristics, scientific and socially excellent, which are capable of signaling new theoretical reflections and the consolidation of research programs guided for magnifying the bond to the ethical-social commitment of this psychological approach.

Keywords : Behavior analysis; Functional relations; Contextualism; Social commitment; Radical behaviorism.

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