On behavioristic versus neurophysiologic accounts of psychotic behavior. 1982

W A Bradnan

B. F. Skinner has made significant contributions to the science of the behavior of organisms, including human ones, especially through his emphasis on observable behavior. He has correctly placed psychology among the biological sciences. My disagreement with his position stems from his apparent belief that a knowledge of the pertinent neurophysiology is not necessary (though perhaps desirable) to an explanation of the behavior of an organism. I believe this is a significant conceptual shortcoming, and that correcting it will bring psychology into a more consistent position with the biological sciences in general.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009482 Neurophysiology The scientific discipline concerned with the physiology of the nervous system.
D011582 Psychological Theory Principles applied to the analysis and explanation of psychological or behavioral phenomena. Social Cognitive Theory,Psychologic Theory,Psychological Theories,Theories, Psychological,Theory, Psychological,Cognitive Theories, Social,Cognitive Theory, Social,Psychologic Theories,Social Cognitive Theories,Theories, Psychologic,Theories, Social Cognitive,Theory, Psychologic,Theory, Social Cognitive
D011618 Psychotic Disorders Disorders in which there is a loss of ego boundaries or a gross impairment in reality testing with delusions or prominent hallucinations. (From DSM-IV, 1994) Psychoses,Psychosis, Brief Reactive,Schizoaffective Disorder,Schizophreniform Disorders,Psychosis,Brief Reactive Psychoses,Brief Reactive Psychosis,Disorder, Psychotic,Disorder, Schizoaffective,Disorder, Schizophreniform,Disorders, Psychotic,Disorders, Schizoaffective,Disorders, Schizophreniform,Psychoses, Brief Reactive,Psychotic Disorder,Reactive Psychoses, Brief,Reactive Psychosis, Brief,Schizoaffective Disorders,Schizophreniform Disorder
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001527 Behaviorism A psychologic theory, developed by John Broadus Watson, concerned with studying and measuring behaviors that are observable. Behaviorisms
D012917 Social Adjustment Adaptation of the person to the social environment. Adjustment may take place by adapting the self to the environment or by changing the environment. (From Campbell, Psychiatric Dictionary, 1996). Adjustment, Social,Adjustments, Social,Social Adjustments
D012931 Social Environment The aggregate of social and cultural institutions, forms, patterns, and processes that influence the life of an individual or community. Social Context,Environment, Social,Social Ecology,Context, Social,Contexts, Social,Ecologies, Social,Ecology, Social,Environments, Social,Social Contexts,Social Ecologies,Social Environments
D019965 Neurocognitive Disorders Diagnoses of DEMENTIA and AMNESTIC DISORDER are subsumed here. (DSM-5) Clerambault Syndrome,Delirium, Dementia, Amnestic, Cognitive Disorders,Kandinsky Syndrome,Mental Disorders, Organic,Organic Brain Syndrome, Nonpsychotic,Organic Mental Disorders,Organic Mental Disorders, Psychotic,Psychoses, Traumatic,Mild Neurocognitive Disorder,Nonpsychotic Organic Brain Syndrome,Disorder, Mild Neurocognitive,Disorder, Neurocognitive,Disorders, Mild Neurocognitive,Disorders, Neurocognitive,Disorders, Organic Mental,Mental Disorder, Organic,Mild Neurocognitive Disorders,Neurocognitive Disorder,Neurocognitive Disorder, Mild,Neurocognitive Disorders, Mild,Organic Mental Disorder,Traumatic Psychoses

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