Abstract

TOURINHO, Emmanuel Zagury; TEIXEIRA, Eveny da Rocha  and  MACIEL, Josiane Miranda. Boundaries between behavior analysis and physiology: Skinner and the issue of private events. Psicol. Reflex. Crit. [online]. 2000, vol.13, n.3, pp. 425-434. ISSN 0102-7972.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-79722000000300011.

This study examines B. F. Skinner´s references to physiology in publications dealing with private events, in order to identify elements for a clearer definition of the relations between behavior analysis and physiology. Skinner´s contributions were analyzed with reference to six thematic categories: a) biological variables as constitutive, albeit non-defining properties of private behavioral phenomena; b) the autonomous nature of the behavioral-analytical approach in the face of biological/physiological facts; c) limits of behavior control by internal/physiological events; d) private behavior as behavior of the organism as a whole; e) a distinction between privileged access and privileged knowledge; f) retention of the behavioral-analytical approach in applied behavior analysis. Skinner´s propositions concerning the described categories are discussed as original in defining the field of a science of behavior and capable of providing a coherent guide for establishing clear-cut limits between behavior analysis and physiology as independent and complementary disciplines.

Keywords : Radical behaviorism; behavior analysis; physiology; private events.