Explaining Behavior

Why do human beings move? In this lucid portrayal of human behavior, Fred Dretske provides an original account of the way reasons function in the causal explanation of behavior. Biological science investigates what makes our bodies move in the way they do. Psychology is interested in why persons—agents with reasons—move in the way they do. Dretske attempts to reconcile these different points of view by showing how reasons operate in a world of causes. He reveals in detail how the character of our inner states—what we believe, desire, and intend—determines what we do.

Presenting cutting-edge work on the brain systems involved in key domains of neuropsychological functioning, Pennington sheds light on acquired neurological disorders like aphasia and amnesia, as well as the development of such conditions as schizophrenia, depression, dyslexia, autism and intellectual disability. (Psychology)

A substantially revised edition of Jon Elster's critically acclaimed book exploring the nature of social behavior and the social sciences.

In this provocative monograph, Bertram Malle describes behavior explanations as having a dual nature—as being both cognitive and social acts—and proposes a comprehensive theoretical model that integrates the two aspects. When people try to understand puzzling human behavior, they construct behavior explanations, which are a fundamental tool of social cognition. But, Malle argues, behavior explanations exist not only in the mind; they are also overt verbal actions used for social purposes. When people explain their own behavior or the behavior of others, they are using the explanation to manage a social interaction—by offering clarification, trying to save face, or casting blame. Malle's account makes clear why these two aspects of behavior explanation exist and why they are closely linked; along the way, he illustrates the astonishingly sophisticated and subtle patterns of folk behavior explanations. Malle begins by reviewing traditional attribution theories and their simplified portrayal of behavior explanation. A more realistic portrayal, he argues, must be grounded in the nature, function, and origins of the folk theory of mind—the conceptual framework underlying people's grasp of human behavior and its connection to the mind. Malle then presents a theory of behavior explanations, focusing first on their conceptual structure and then on their psychological construction. He applies this folk-conceptual theory to a number of questions, including the communicative functions of behavior explanations, and the differences in explanations given for self and others as well as for individuals and groups. Finally, he highlights the strengths of the folk-conceptual theory of explanation over traditional attribution theory and points to future research applications.

This monograph attempts to apply the philosophy of social science to the study of buyer behaviour. It encompasses ideas from various disciplines, such as philosophy and psychology.

Modern classrooms face an increasing population of special needs students and 'regular' students who have behavioural problems. The mission of this book is to show teachers and other human service professionals working in school settings how to employ non-aversive, behaviour analysis principles in classrooms and other school settings.

The key to effective classroom management starts with instruction Teaching Behavior goes beyond setting classroom rules, communicating consequences, and providing the usual tips on engaging students and building relationships. It draws on the most current, evidence-based practices at the heart of effective teaching so you can maximize student success. Ideal as a teacher guide or textbook, it offers New insights on why instruction is the foundation for all student behavior Practical tools for managing all types of students and classrooms, including the most challenging Self-assessment checklists and discussion questions for teacher book-study groups Accompanying video modules for each chapter