O controle instrucional segundo analistas do comportamento: convergências, divergências e estado atual do debate

Abstract

The present work aimed to: (1) identify, characterize and systematize the different theoretical proposals about what Skinner (1963/1969) called ruled governed behavior and also identify its proponents; (2) identify in which points these proposals converge; and (3) identify which authors communicate with other authors and what arguments the said authors use and point out their convergences and divergences with each other; (4) evaluate what problems raised by the authors have already been solved and those that still need further investigation; (5) describe how these theoretical proposals developed through the years. To do so, book chapters and papers in which the authors presented an original theoretical proposal on the subject were selected – the selection incorporated both domestic and international works. Different strategies to select these work were used, for instance: (1) searching in important periodicals on the field; (2) searching important authors of the field; (3) searching for the works cited in the works found through steps (1) and (2). The documents that were selected were then read and organized chronologically. Were identified the: (1) authors; (2) year of publication; (3) terms used to designate the concept of rule; (4) the function attributed to the rule; (5) the topography of the rule; and (6) the explanation of the instructional control (specification of the behavior process involved). Five original proposals were found – Schlinger’s and cals; Hayes’ and cals; (3) Catania’s and cals; (4) Mallot’s; and (5) Cerutti’s. The analysis of the data found suggest that there is little dialogue between these authors. Currently, there is not a consensus in regard to understanding how rules govern the behavior of the listener. Beyond further experimental studies on the subject, the current research proposes that it is absolutely fundamental a broader (and better) dialogue in the area. Such work is fundamental because the current state of the debate shows that behavior analysis does not have a consensual proposition to one of the most common forms of human behavior: the ruled governed behavior