Baum, W. M. (2002).
From molecular to molar: A paradigm shift in behavior analysis.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior,
78, 95-116.
A paradigm clash is occurring within behavior analysis. In the
older paradigm, the molecular view, behavior consists of
momentary or discrete responses that constitute instances of
classes. Variation in response rate reflects variation in the
strength or probability of the response class. The newer
paradigm, the molar view, sees behavior as composed of activities
that take up varying amounts of time. Whereas the molecular view
takes response rate and choice to be "derived" measures
and hence abstractions, the molar view takes response rate and
choice to be concrete temporally extended behavioral allocations
and regards momentary "responses" as abstractions.
Research findings that point to variation in tempo, asymmetry in
concurrent performance, and paradoxical resistance to change are
readily interpretable when seen in the light of reinforcement and
stimulus control of extended behavioral allocations or
activities. Seen in the light of the ontological distinction
between classes and individuals, extended behavioral allocations,
like species in evolutionary taxonomy, constitute individuals,
entities that change without changing their identity. Seeing
allocations as individuals implies that less extended activities
constitute parts of larger wholes rather than instances of
classes. Both laboratory research and everyday behavior are
explained plausibly in the light of concrete extended activities
and their nesting. The molecular view, because it requires
discrete responses and contiguous events, relies on hypothetical
stimuli and consequences to account for the same phenomena. One
may prefer the molar view on grounds of elegance, integrative
power, and plausibility.
Key words: resistance to change,
individual, class, concrete/abstract, molar, molecular, atomism