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Clinical science and human behavior
Author(s) -
Plaud Joseph J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.1125
Subject(s) - behaviorism , psychology , cognitivism (psychology) , epistemology , relation (database) , basic science , behavioural sciences , cognitive science , cognition , philosophy of psychology , cognitive psychology , psychotherapist , philosophy , database , neuroscience , computer science
The debate between mentalism/cognitivism and behaviorism is analyzed, and it is concluded that behaviorism is the philosophy more closely associated with psychology as a behavioral science, the cognitive approach being more closely aligned with biological science. Specific objections to mentalistic interpretations of behavioral phenomena are detailed, and examples from clinical psychology are used to show the importance of behavioral approaches in applied domains. It is argued that the relation between behavior theory and clinical psychology is critical to the continued advancement of applied psychology. Behavior analysis is offered as a direct, applied extension of behavior theory as well as a highly practical and effective approach for understanding, explaining, and modifying the factors that contribute to and maintain maladaptive behaviors. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 1089–1102, 2001.