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Verbal Repertoires and Contextual Factors in Cultural Change

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Abstract

This article provides an overview of cultural environmental factors that influence interactions between organized cultural groups and the recipients of their aggregate outcome. The discussion highlights the elaborated account of metacontingency with the primary focus on ways this perspective offers points of entry to alter contextual factors and change cultural practices. The concepts of metacontingency, macrobehavior, macrocontingency, and cultural milieu are emphasized in the behavior scientific analysis of cultural practices. In this process, interactions of verbally sophisticated cultural groups, the aggregate outcome, and their influence on the cultural environment will be examined. Moreover, the mediating role of verbal repertoires of individuals will be discussed.

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Ramona A. Houmanfar: conceptual development and original draft (introduction, overview of the literature, discussion, conclusion), and revisions (entire document). Mark P. Alavosius: original draft (overview of the literature, discussion, conclusion) and revisions (entire document). Elizabeth L. Ghezzi: original draft (four dimensions on relating) and associated revisions. Rita Olla: original draft (discussion and figures), and revisions.

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Correspondence to Ramona A. Houmanfar.

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Reported data associated with human participants in the context of literature review (supporting the theoretical theme of this article) were approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Nevada, Reno.

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Houmanfar, R.A., Alavosius, M.P., Ghezzi, E.L. et al. Verbal Repertoires and Contextual Factors in Cultural Change. Psychol Rec (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-024-00587-z

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