COGNITIVE VS CONTEXTUAL CAUSATION - DIFFERENT WORLD VIEWS BUT PERHAPSNOT IRRECONCILABLE

In this commentary, we address some of the divisive issues between cog nitive theorists and behavior analysts concerning the aims and goals o f science and differing views of causality. We suggest that evidence f or the causal status of cognition has been inconclusive, largely due t o the fact that most of this research can be framed in terms of enviro nmental causes. We examine (1) what we can consider as causes of behav ior and (2) how we can manipulate these causes in therapy. We conclude that a rapprochement between cognitivists and behavior analysts will require more careful description of the multiple causal pathways respo nsible for experimental and therapeutic effects. Copyright (C) 1996 El sevier Science Ltd