Explanation and Description in Traditional Neobehaviorism, Cognitive Psychology, and Behavior Analysis

Abstract

Reese (1999) has noted that the nature of explanation and its relation to description have been hotly debated for many years. The present chapter critically examines the status of explanation and description in contemporary behavioral science, particularly traditional neobehaviorism, cognitive psychology, and behavior analysiS. Historical Background The chapter begins with a review of certain themes in the historical background of explanation. The purpose of this historical review is to briefly draw attention to certain themes in the literature of causal explanation that are relevant to the latter stages of the paper, rather than to exhaustively survey the topic. Not surprisingly, I start with Aristotle. Aristotle Aristotle (ca. 385-322 BCE) is often given a treasured place in discussions about the origin of scientific knowledge and methodology, and J. Moore, • Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201. 13 K. A. Lattal et al. (eds.), Behavior Theory and Philosophy