Relations between levels of complexity in the behavioral sciences

Some obstacles to progress in the behavioral sciences are discussed. An understanding of human behavior demands a firm descriptive base. This requires the recognition of successive levels of social complexity and of the dialectical relations between them: some difficulties in achieving adequate description are noted. Some principles governing the development of behavior are discussed: the importance of constraints on and predispositions for learning, the role of interpersonal relationships, the question of continuities of development, and the need to come to terms with the relations between successive levels of social complexity. The contribution of the biological concept of adaptation is emphasized. Finally, the development of snake phobias and of gender differences are used to exemplify the issues discussed.