Towards a Radical Behaviorist Social Psychology

Abstract

We situate our proposal as part of a collective itinerary aimed at contributing to the construction of a radical behaviorist social psychology as a political-scientific project within Brazilian behavior analysis. The objective of this reflective study is to offer theoretical contributions to the development of a radical behaviorist social psychology. Our proposal involves a dialogue between behavior analysis and the Latin American tradition of social psychology, defining the scope of the proposal as mediating between individual behavioral phenomena and social life in its historical and political dimensions. This project is framed by five central ideas: (1) behavior analysts are interested in a political engagement of behavior science (2) knowledge production in the Brazilian (or Latin American and Caribbean) context presents its own challenges; (3) a proper political engagement of behavior science requires discussion of its scientific project; (4) a politically engaged and intellectually autonomous Brazilian behavior science depends on a specific field of study and action, which we can understand as social psychology; and (5) a radical behaviorist social psychology is still a developing project. The relationship between particular and universal dimensions of knowledge is presented as a fundamental theoretical problem. This issue involves political and epistemological consequences concerning how general knowledge of behavioral phenomena relates to the socio-historical realities from which it arises and to which it informs interventions. By addressing the relationship between knowledge of individual behavior and societal and cultural phenomena, this approach would be characterized as a frontier science, dealing with the interface between different disciplines, dimensions of knowledge, and objects of analysis. From the proposed theoretical frameworks, we derive suggestions for research and action pathways. These directions involve investigations aimed at scientific behavior, promoting a contextualized view of knowledge production; emphasizing the social construction of subjectivity as a theme guiding our understanding of social subjects in a historically situated manner; seeking interfaces with available knowledge about Latin American realities and particularities; and employing social research methods to address behavior in diverse contexts. As part of the comprehensive project of a
science of behavior, this field offers an opportunity for a critical assessment of the effectiveness of our knowledge within our reality. We believe this approach will not only promote greater involvement of radical behaviorism in political debate but also provide a practical framework for addressing concrete social issues of everyday life, with a focus on aspects pertinent to psychology.