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Rules as Basic Units of Sociocultural Selection.
Julio C Aguiar1, Jorge M Oliveira-Castro2,3, Leandro Gobbo4
11Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
Perspectives on Behavior Science
|January 25, 2020
Summary
Rules are the fundamental units of sociocultural selection, driving societal evolution. Rule uttering, including application, transmission, and creation, is selected by operant mechanisms and social reinforcers.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Sociocultural Evolution
- Evolutionary Psychology
Background:
- Behavior-analytic principles offer a framework for understanding human societies.
- Previous models of sociocultural selection by Skinner and Baum are critically analyzed.
- A novel functional concept of rule uttering is introduced.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose rules as the basic units of sociocultural selection.
- To define rule uttering as a verbal behavior pattern influencing behavior frequency.
- To distinguish rule uttering patterns (application, transmission, creation) by their social consequences.
Main Methods:
- Functional analysis of rule uttering as a verbal behavior.
- Application of operant mechanisms to explain the selection of rule-uttering patterns.
- Identification of generalized social reinforcers as key selection consequences.
Main Results:
- Rule uttering probability is linked to its effect on individual or group behavior.
- Rule uttering patterns lead to lasting behavioral changes, aiding problem-solving.
- Operant selection favors rule-uttering patterns that enhance problem-solving efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Rules are proposed as the fundamental units of sociocultural selection.
- Generalized social reinforcers are the primary drivers of rule-uttering selection.
- This model provides a behavior-analytic perspective on societal evolution.
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