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On the battle between behavior and cognition: lessons from physicists and pragmatists
1University of Chicago Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Tinley Park, IL 60477, USA.
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Cognitive models are epistemologically sound for psychology. Lessons from physics and pragmatism show their value, meeting accountability goals through empirical research.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Philosophy of Science
Background:
- Ongoing epistemological debate between behaviorism and cognitivism in psychology.
- Need for a broader framework to evaluate psychological models beyond traditional behaviorist criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To resolve the epistemological conflict between behaviorism and cognitivism.
- To establish the epistemological validity of cognitive models in psychology.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing epistemological lessons from Physics and Pragmatism.
- Analyzing the role of formal models and causality in behavioral science.
- Evaluating psychological models based on accountability and empirical evidence.
Main Results:
- Physics demonstrates the value of formal models alongside direct observation.
- Pragmatism emphasizes the importance of accountability in evaluating scientific models.
- Empirical research validates cognitive models, showing they meet accountability standards.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive models meet broader epistemological criteria beyond behaviorist definitions.
- Cognition is an epistemologically sound and valuable model for human psychology.
- Interdisciplinary insights from physics and pragmatism support the utility of cognitive psychology.
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