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Self-control revisited: Or why doesn't anyone actually read Skinner anymore?
The Behavior Analyst
|April 6, 2012
Summary
This review examines the history of self-control in cognitive behavior therapy. A radical behavioral approach offers the most effective analysis of behavior, addressing disagreements with cognitive behaviorists.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Self-control is a key concept in cognitive behavior therapy.
- Historical development and current understanding of self-control are reviewed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history of self-control within cognitive behavior therapy.
- To discuss disagreements between radical behaviorists and cognitive behaviorists.
- To evaluate the status of self-reinforcement, reciprocity, and private events.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of self-control concepts.
- Analysis of theoretical disagreements in behaviorism.
- Evaluation of specific behavioral concepts.
Main Results:
- Identified key areas of disagreement between radical and cognitive behaviorists.
- Examined the logical status of self-reinforcement, reciprocity, and private events.
- Highlighted the ongoing relevance of radical behaviorism.
Conclusions:
- A radical behavioral approach provides the most effective framework for behavior analysis.
- Further examination of self-control concepts is warranted within behavioral psychology.
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