CONSIDERATIONS ON THEORETICAL DOGMATISM IN RADICAL BEHAVIORISM

Abstract

Theoretical dogmatism, understood as unquestioning acceptance of a theory and a priori rejection of all others, and theoretical eclecticism, understood as the indiscriminate use of concepts, languages, procedures, methods, techniques and instruments produced by different theoretical perspectives, are common positions in Psychology. Both positions tend to hinder productive dialogue between different psychological theories. This paper aimed to identify possible dogmatic positions among radical behaviorists, discuss some possible implications of dogmatism for radical behaviorism, and indicate alternative positions that do not involve either theoretical dogmatism or eclecticism. Evidences of theoretical dogmatism were found in the literature, demonstrated by critiques to various theories without explicit citation of the criticized authors, and in certain misunderstandings about the relationship between radical behaviorism and Watsonian behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Finally, we suggest a dialogue, through the analysis of the histories of the various theoretical perspectives, their philosophical assumptions and studies produced by their members, to enable a critical reflection on the radical behaviorist theory and practices derived from it. Keywords: behavior analysis, behaviorism, dogmatism, psychological theory, psychologist training, radical behaviorism, Skinner.