RFT and evolution: are memetics the missing link? Marco Kleen, psychologist PsyAdvies /...
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RFT and evolution: are memetics the missing link? Marco Kleen, psychologist PsyAdvies / BrainDynamics University of Groningen
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Transcript of RFT and evolution: are memetics the missing link? Marco Kleen, psychologist PsyAdvies /...
RFT and evolution: are memetics the missing link?
Marco Kleen, psychologistPsyAdvies / BrainDynamics
University of Groningen
2009150th aniversary of
On The Origin of Speciesby Charles Darwin
"behavior analysts think of the shaping of behavior as working in
just the same way as the evolution of species" (Baum, 1994, p. 64).
“Both the evolution of species and the evolution of behavior can be
described as selection by consequences” (Skinner, 1981)
• Selectionism involves an emphasis on the role historical context and consequences play in shaping the form and function of the phenomenon of interest in the current setting—an emphasis that clearly reflects both the root metaphor and truth criterion of contextualism (Fox, 2005, contextualpsychology.org)
Psychopathology
GENETIC FITNESS?? X
Self-sterilizing behavior
Warfare
Genocide
Terrorism
Evolutionairy algorithm (Darwin, 1859)
• If there is variety…• and if there is selection…• and if there is heredity…
• ..then there MUST be evolution
Common misconceptions about evolution
• Evolution has a goal (= “intelligent design”)• Humans are evolved from apes (= describing
evolution as a lineair process)• Evolution is only about genes
“Darwinism is too big a theory to be confined to the narrow
context of the gene” Richard Dawkins, 1976
What is a meme?
• Any piece of information that has the ability to replicate itself through imitation
• “Imitation, to mime” meme (Dawkins, 1976)
• “Unit of cultural evolution”• Infectious ideas• Analogy: parasite
Imitation
• Vertical: from one generation to the next• Horizontal: spreading of contagious ideas
within one generation
Meme-cariers
• Anology: meme-memecarrier, gene-genotype
• Human brains• Media: books, CD’s, DVD’s, internet• Buildings, fashion, music, cultural
manifestations, lectures, congresses, discussions
The Wuppie-meme (Weeple)
± 1970 US 1980 Netherlands
1981- 2005 dormant period, 2006 mutations (color+ size)
2006 Netherlands:WK (worldcup) wuppie and ‘megawuppie’
2008 Netherlands:EK welpie
2006-2007 dormant period, 2008 major mutation
Memetic fitness
• Fidelity: the more faithful a copy, the more of the original information remains
• Fecundity: the faster the rate of copying, the more the meme will spread
• Longevity: the longer a meme survives, the more copies can be made from it.
Copy the product vscopy the instruction
• Example: Dutch stue• Copying the instruction only possible in
organisms that are able to frame relationally (use language)
Meme-gene coevolution
• Memetic drive (Blackmore, 1999)• Selection of brains that are good in imitating
(mirror neurons!)• ‘big brain’ theory physical adaptation of
the brain, relatively big neocortex
Genes vs Memes
• The ‘genetic leash’ (Lumsden & Wilson) seems to be broken memetic replication does not have to be good for genes
Contragenetic behavior
• The ‘genetic leash’ (Lumsden & Wilson) seems to be broken memetic replication does not have to be good for genes
• Memes are selfish: their only goal is to get replicated as much as possible
RFT and memetics are highly complementary theories which
explain each other’s missing links
RFT and Memetics
RFT• Selectionistic foundation• Explains complex human
behavior
• Evolutionairy function of contragenetic behavior unclear
Memetics• Selectionistic foundation• Explains complex human
behavior
• Psychological mechanism of imitation unclear
The Missing Link
Mechanisms
• Stimulus Relational Framing activation of bigger cognitive network transformation of stimulusfunction reproduction of memes
..results in reproduction of memes
Translation: “The cross will not make place for the mosque”
Mr. Wilders
Relational responding….
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Common sense
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
same
different
different
Mechanisms
• Stimulus Relational Framing activation of bigger cognitive network transformation of stimulusfunction reproduction of memes
• Memetic reproduction through experiential avoidance
Experiential avoidance and reproduction of memes
• Death of a loved one avoidance of painful experiences immortal soul living on in heaven reproduction of religious/dualistic memes
• Death of a loved one acceptance of painful experiences no need for immortal soul no reproduction of religious/dualistic memes
Is relational framing itself a meme?
• Relational framing is an idea that gets replicated
• Relational framing as behavior is taught by multiple exemplar learing in which imitative behavior is rewarded in certain contexts
Who benefits from combining RFT and memetical paradigms?
• RFT- even more complex behavior explained- increasing ‘evolutionairy validity’
• Memetics: - psychological mechanism of transmission explained (copy the instruction)- methodology (predicton and influence)
The future of science of mind?
RFT
Memetics
ToM
Mirror neurons
Contemporary philosophical
models*
?
* Multiple draft model (Dennett) Self as memeplex (Blackmore) Self as ‘strange loop’ (Hofstadter)
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