Mitch J. Fryling

Toward an Interdisciplinary Science of Culture

Cultural events are of interest to scientists working in many scientific domains. Given this, an interdisciplinary science of culture may provide a more thorough understanding of cultural phenomena. However, interdisciplinary sciences depend upon the validity and vitality of the participating disciplines. This article reviews the nature of scientific enterprises and problematic conceptualizations of interdisciplinary science from an interbehavioral perspective. Metasystemic and systemic foundations for an interdisciplinary science of culture are proposed.

Psychological Events and Constructs: An Alliance with Smith

The distinction between constructs and events is often overlooked in the sciences, as evidenced by a number of long-standing confusions of the former with the latter. The authors propose that the distinction between constructs and events is particularly important in the science of psychology, as psychological events have a number of unique characteristics that make this confusion more likely than is the case in other sciences. The nature of psychological events and the constructs derived from them are described in this article, along with the value of maintaining the distinction between them for the science of psychology and its relations with other sciences.

An Interbehavioral Analysis of Memory

Memory has long been an important topic within the domain of psychology. However, the area of memory is largely guided by theories that embrace both dualistic and reductionistic foundations. The current paper describes a thoroughly naturalistic alternative, whereby memory is conceptualized as a wholly observable and current interaction. In illustrating this alternative, the philosophy of interbehaviorism and system of interbehavioral psychology are described, including a comprehensive review of memory interactions of various sorts. Finally, the value of the interbehavioral approach to memory for behavior analysis is considered.

A Behavioral Systems Analysis of Behavior Analysis as a Scientific System

Behavioral systems analyses typically address organizational problems in business and industry. However, to the extent that a behavioral system is an entity comprised of interdependent elements formed by individuals interacting toward a common goal, a scientific enterprise constitutes a behavioral system to which a behavioral systems analysis may apply. This article outlines the characteristics of behavior analysis as a scientific system, such that it may be conceptualized and evaluated by way of a behavioral systems analysis. Our aim in subjecting this enterprise to a behavioral systems analysis is to achieve a furtherance of its mission. In pursuit of this aim, we suggest actions that behavior analysis might take to increase its share of the psychological market, sustain its veracity, and assure its long-term success.