Understanding Behaviorism: Behavior, Culture, and Evolution

By William M. Baum and William M Baum

Book Overview

Understanding Behaviorism explains the basis of behavior analysis and its application to human problems in a scholarly but accessible manner. Only book available that both explains behavior analysis and deals with philosophical and practical problems. Makes behaviorism accessible and explains the basis of behavior analysis and its application to human problems. Treats the ancient concepts of purpose, knowledge, language, and thought as well as modern social problems like freedom, responsibility, government, and culture. Offers practical approaches to improving the lives of all humankind. Includes suggestions for further reading.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 140511262X
• ISBN13: 9781405112628
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Behaviorism? Isn't that only used for autism treatment...?

Of course, the answer to that question is no. Granted, many laypeople in today's world are first hearing about "behaviorism" through their familiarity with applied behavior analysis (ABA) and autism treatment. There is, however, a great deal more to talk about than autism treatment, as Baum details for us. As a college professor who teaches in a graduate program in behavior analysis, this is the first book that I recommend to my students to give them a better idea of the "big picture" of the philosophy of behaviorism and the science of behavior analysis. Baum does a wonderful job describing the relevance of both the philosophy and the science to our world and those who "behave" in it. Understanding the contents of the book should help current behavior analysis "technicians" to become "scholars" in their discipline.