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Radical Behaviorism and the Clarification of Causality, Constructs, and Confusions: A Reply to Hayes, Adams, and Dixon

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Abstract

In a recent paper by Hayes, Adams, and Dixon (1997), Skinner’s radical behaviorism was criticized on conceptual and philosophical grounds. The criticisms centered around certain types of alleged confusions between observed events and the verbal constructions used in the description of those events. In examining the arguments presented by Hayes et al. (1997), however, certain inconsistencies may be seen regarding the central issues, and problems are found in the application of the arguments to Skinner’s work, given a thoroughgoing behavioral view of language. For example, the word “cause” might be viewed in Skinner’s writings as implying hidden metaphysical forces, but such an interpretation would ignore the historical influence of Mach in Skinner’s usage of the term as well as Skinner’s repeated refutation of such metaphysical implications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, 99258-0001, USA

    Sam Leigland

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  1. Sam Leigland
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Correspondence to Sam Leigland.

Additional information

This paper is dedicated, with many thanks, to Linda and Steve Hayes, sabbatical hosts extraordinaire. Thanks also to two anonymous reviewers for helpful and constructive comments.

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Leigland, S. Radical Behaviorism and the Clarification of Causality, Constructs, and Confusions: A Reply to Hayes, Adams, and Dixon. Psychol Rec 48, 423–437 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395282

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