Welcome to the first blog for Cultural Evolution and Analysis— an important topic for all behavior analysts. In Selection by Consequences, (Skinner, 1981), the role of the third level of selection, culture, was articulated within the broader context of selection at other levels and a role of operant behavior found its home within the selection framework.
However, the third level of selection remains elusive in a complete analysis (see Malagodi, 1986; Malagodi & Jackson, 1989). Fortunately, an analysis of cultural evolution has not been disregarded. Over the years, there have been voices in the wilderness that have devoted much of their careers to understanding culture from within behavior analysis, and others sharing an epistemological approach familiar to radical behaviorism and behavior analysis, in general.
For many, your interest in culture may have started with reading Walden Two (Skinner, 1948), or the numerous articles by Glenn (2003; 2004), Malott & Glenn (2006), or perhaps a more molar perspective by Baum (1995, 2024). Others may have gained more interest by reading Harris (1977; 1980).
What you might not be aware of is that Behavior and Social Issues and Think Tanks on Cultural Studies (TTCS), have been a great source of information and research on cultural evolution and analysis. There is now a culture-behavior science course sequence (created by the ABAI Task Force) that exists in the Federal University of Pará; Oslo Metropolitan University; the University of Brasília; the University of Nevada, Reno; the University of North Texas (master’s and doctoral programs); and the University of São Paulo. Conferences such as Culturo-Behavior Science for a Better World back in 2020 provided highlighted topics such as climate change, social justice, public health, science policy in education, and poverty (Malott, 2021). One of the many ambitious outcomes by these researchers is the production of terminology of culture and cultural practices. (Glenn et al., 2016)
The purpose of this blog is: (1) to provide access to the important points raised by these behavior analysts and others; (2) to encourage conversations about matters of culture that have an influence on our verbal behavior as behavior analysts, and as members of our culture; (3) to be informed on matters of cultural evolution and analysis by identifying more articles and book chapters on the topic. We hope that this blog will be informative, educational, and definitely entertaining as we discuss and navigate these troubling and challenging times in our culture.
References:
Baum, W.M. (1995). Rules, culture, and fitness. The Behavior Analyst, 18, 1-21.
Baum, W.M. (2024). Introduction to behavior: An evolutionary perspective. New Jersey: Wiley.
Glenn, S.S. (2003). Operant contingencies and the origin of cultures. In K.A. Lattal & P.N. Chase (Eds.), Behavior theory and philosophy (pp. 223-242). New York: Kluwer/Plenum.
Glenn, S. S. (2004). Individual behavior, culture, and social change. The Behavior Analyst, 27, 133–151.
Glenn, S. S., Malott, M. E., Andery, M. A. P. A., Benvenuti, M., Houmanfar, R., Sandaker, I., Todorov, J. C., Tourinho, E. Z., & Vasconcelos, L. (2016). Toward consistent terminology in a behaviorist approach to cultural analysis. Behavior and Social Issues, 25, 11–27.
Harris, M. (1977). Cannibals and kings: The origins of cultures. New York: Random House.
Harris, M. (1980). Cultural materialism: The struggle for a science of culture. New York: Random House.
Malagodi, E. F. (1986). On radicalizing behaviorism: A call for cultural analysis. The Behavior Analyst, 9, 1–17.
Malagodi, E.F. & Jackson, K. (1989). Behavior analysts and cultural analysis: Troubles and issues. The Behavior Analyst, 12, 17–33.
Malott, M.E. (2021). The Nature of Culturo-Behavioral Science Interventions: Editorial. Behavior Analysis and Social Issues.30, 83–93.
Malott, M. E., & Glenn, S. S. (2006). Targets of intervention in cultural and behavioral change. Behavior and Social Issues, 15, 31-56. h
Skinner, B.F. (1948). Walden Two. Macmillan.
Skinner, B.F. (1981). Selection by consequences. Science. 501-504.
