Radical Behaviorism and the Social Order

Abstract

Attempts by radical behaviorists to create a better society are marked by serious analytical and philosophical shortcomings. It is argued that the allegiance of behaviorism to the ideology of technocracy serves primarily to reinforce existing societal structures. Although behaviorism is being used mostly to preserve the regnant social order, it is suggested that behaviorism is potentially capable of becoming a significant catalyst for social change.

Radical Black behaviorism to address racial microaggressions among African American clients: The case of Aniyah

“…While the case demonstrated how radical Black behaviorism may be used to conceptualize the problem of microaggressions, a target's response, and goals and interventions for behavioral change at the individual level, radical Black behaviorism also provides opportunities for broader social change. Prilleltensky (1992), for example, quoted Malagodi (1986) who argued that “Social problems originate in social environments, not in the minds of individuals, and solutions to them can be forthcoming only by radically changing environmental contingencies” (p. 4). As such, radical behaviorism may be used to identify contingencies that facilitate and reinforce racially disparate concentrations of power, as well as ways in which society can be structured so that cooperative behavior (i.e., ujima) is rewarded (Prilleltensky, 1992).…”

“…Prilleltensky (1992), for example, quoted Malagodi (1986) who argued that “Social problems originate in social environments, not in the minds of individuals, and solutions to them can be forthcoming only by radically changing environmental contingencies” (p. 4). As such, radical behaviorism may be used to identify contingencies that facilitate and reinforce racially disparate concentrations of power, as well as ways in which society can be structured so that cooperative behavior (i.e., ujima) is rewarded (Prilleltensky, 1992). Future case illustrations, therefore, may also consider how radical Black behaviorism may be applied to explain cases of racial discrimination that occur at organizational or societal levels and concrete actions to advance the Black population at large (Hayes, 1991; Prilleltensky, 1992).…”