The Reluctant Alliance: Behaviorism and Humanismby Bobby Newman Book review by Wm. B. Lindley
This book ventures boldly into controversial territory. In one way, behaviorism and Humanism could be considered hopelessly incompatible: the autonomous, self-reliant human being versus the creature at the whim of the environment. In another way, both forms of thought are feared and vilified by religionists as aspects of the dominant godless collectivist worldview, so they must fit together somehow. The first chapter gives a brief review of Humanism, its history and significant people; does the same for "applied behavior analysis", the author's more specific term for what is ordinarily called behaviorism, and carefully explains behaviorist terms; and then makes the claim that the two are indeed compatible. The work of B. F. Skinner is the focus of the comparison. Five misunderstandings of Skinner's thought are given, and Skinner defended. The author then gives some quotes from Corliss Lamont's The Philosophy of Humanism, the "Bible" of the American Humanist Association, side by side with quotes from Skinner's writings. The match is pretty good. The author then notes that behaviorists are kind people and want a happy society, not a regimented one, since aversive stimuli are to be avoided where possible. The key question on how the technique should be used is frankly acknowledged not to be answerable from within the discipline. The next chapter deals with psychotherapy, scoring some hits on the warm-fuzzy humanistic psychology and giving some horror stories of conventional therapy where behavior therapy, which would have worked better, was brusquely rejected. Another chapter, on teaching morality, claims that Kohlberg (of the six levels of morality) never understood Skinner. It also discusses the misrepresentations of A Clockwork Orange.. The author goes on to discuss applied behavior analysis and public policy, recommending wider use of behavior techniques in attacking some of our major problems. He makes a very good case here. For me, two questions remain, and I think they were not adequately addressed in this book: (1) If behaviorism is to be scientific, total control of the environment is a prerequisite; thus applications are either repressive or unscientific. (The successful case histories were all of people who either were confined or who sought treatment.) (2) The model of humans as responsible, autonomous persons appears to be alien to behaviorism. (Do I still misunderstand Skinner?) Overall, I'm impressed with the book, and I recommend it to those interested in the subject. (Also reviewed by Bernard Katz in The American Rationalist, Nov-Dec 1993.) Prometheus Books, ©1992, hardback, 130 pages, $20.95. 59 John Glenn Drive, Buffalo, New York 14228-2197. Any information in this article pertaining to legal or medicalmatters is not to be construed as professional advice. Copyrightsremain the property of the authors.
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