On the relation between radical behaviorism and the science of verbal behavior

Abstract

A fully-developed "science of verbal behavior" may depend upon a recognition of the implications of Skinner's scientific system, radical behaviorism, particularly as it relates to the nature of scientific research. An examination of the system and Skinner's own research practices imply, for example, that samples of vocal or written verbal behavior collected under controlling conditions may be observed as directly for the effects of controlling contingencies as in the traditional practice involving cumulative response records. Such practices may be defended on the basis of the pragmatic epistemology which characterizes radical behaviorism. An example of one type of exploratory method is described.

The Future of Verbal Behavior: Collaboration and Inclusivity

“…The grounding philosophy of TAVB, which is evident throughout its history (e.g., Leigland, 1989), is explicitly radical (vs. methodological) behavior analysis. Leigland suggests that "radical behaviorism, as a natural science 'system,' is inextricably linked to the functional analysis of verbal behavior, and it is only through an appreciation of the implications of the former will a 'science of verbal behavior' be fully underway" (p. 40).…”

Fifty years later: Comments on the further development of a science of verbal behavior.

“…In looking to areas of continued development in the analysis of verbal behavior, current systematic treatments provide a productive and continuing basis for research on, for example, (a) applications of verbal behavior technology (much of which is based on Skinner's, 1957, Verbal Behavior), and (b) the analysis of complex "symbolic" verbal relations (nearly all of which has arisen from the systems that deal with equivalence relations and derived relational phenomena). Other research areas that might benefit from the expansion of induction-oriented, exploratory research would include (but would obviously not be limited to) (c) studies in the early development of verbal behavior (e.g., Fiorile & Greer, 2007;Luciano, Gomez Becerra, & Rodriguez Valverde, 2007), (d) the analysis of realtime verbal interactions (e.g., Dale & Spivey, 2006;Leigland, 1989bLeigland, , 1996a, and (e) the functional analysis of ordinary language practices (e.g., Leigland, 1989aLeigland, , 1996b.…”

Self-editing: On the relation between behavioral and psycholinguistic approaches

“…In the Skinnerian framework, there can be no exceptions to which the general processes of verbal behavior do not apply. Skinner's (1957) emphasis on pragmatic epistemology, requiring one's explanations to remain close to one's observations, makes paramount the study of individual variation as a function of environmental stimuli (Leigland, 1989;Skinner, 1966;Winokur, 1976).…”