APA Citation
Hayes, S. C., & Toarmino, D. (1995). If behavioral principles are generally applicable, why is it necessary to understand cultural diversity? The Behavior Therapist, 18, 21-23.
Publication Topic
Behavior Analysis: Conceptual
Publication Type
Article
Language
English
Keyword(s)
cultural practices, prejudice, aculturation, funcional analysis, stimulus generalization, verbal behavior, non humans
Comments
Discussed how cultural diversity is important to consider when applying behavioral principles using a RFT analysis of this concept. The paper argues that although cultural diversity couldn’t replace functional analysis, a thorough understanding of cultural factors helps to inform and provide the means to conduct a thorough functional analysis. This is related to a RFT conceptualization of language and culture in which arbitrary sources of control over behavior are important in a functional analysis. The paper ends with a RFT conceptualization of prejudice in which these generalizations based on group membership are viewed as a natural process of language and that increases in cultural diversity knowledge may make counselors more prejudiced due to these features.