RFT and evolution: are memetics the missing link?

Marco Kleen, psychologistPsyAdvies / BrainDynamics

University of Groningen

2009150th aniversary of

On The Origin of Speciesby Charles Darwin

3marcokleen@hotmail.com

Does relational framing increase genetic fitness?

"behavior analysts think of the shaping of behavior as working in

just the same way as the evolution of species" (Baum, 1994, p. 64).

“Both the evolution of species and the evolution of behavior can be

described as selection by consequences” (Skinner, 1981)

• Selectionism involves an emphasis on the role historical context and consequences play in shaping the form and function of the phenomenon of interest in the current setting—an emphasis that clearly reflects both the root metaphor and truth criterion of contextualism (Fox, 2005, contextualpsychology.org)

Science

Philosophy Technique 14marcokleen@hotmail.com

Medicine

Shelter

Communication

GENETIC FITNESS

Destructive normality

Psychopathology

GENETIC FITNESS?? X

Self-sterilizing behavior

Warfare

Genocide

Terrorism

“Cui bono?” (Dennett) (who profits?)

What is the function of contragenetic behavior?

Evolutionairy algorithm (Darwin, 1859)

• If there is variety…• and if there is selection…• and if there is heredity…

• ..then there MUST be evolution

Common misconceptions about evolution

• Evolution has a goal (= “intelligent design”)• Humans are evolved from apes (= describing

evolution as a lineair process)• Evolution is only about genes

“Darwinism is too big a theory to be confined to the narrow

context of the gene” Richard Dawkins, 1976

Is the gene the only replicator?

The second replicator: the meme

What is a meme?

• Any piece of information that has the ability to replicate itself through imitation

• “Imitation, to mime” meme (Dawkins, 1976)

• “Unit of cultural evolution”• Infectious ideas• Analogy: parasite

Example 1. “I just can’t get you out of my head”

(Kylie Minogue, 2002)

Imitation

• Vertical: from one generation to the next• Horizontal: spreading of contagious ideas

within one generation

marcokleen@hotmail.com 27

Meme-cariers

• Anology: meme-memecarrier, gene-genotype

• Human brains• Media: books, CD’s, DVD’s, internet• Buildings, fashion, music, cultural

manifestations, lectures, congresses, discussions

Mutationoriginal: “5th symphony”

(Beethoven)

Mutationmutation: “5th symphony”

(Steve Vai)

The Wuppie-meme (Weeple)

± 1970 US 1980 Netherlands

1981- 2005 dormant period, 2006 mutations (color+ size)

2006 Netherlands:WK (worldcup) wuppie and ‘megawuppie’

2008 Netherlands:EK welpie

2006-2007 dormant period, 2008 major mutation

Memetic fitness

• Fidelity: the more faithful a copy, the more of the original information remains

• Fecundity: the faster the rate of copying, the more the meme will spread

• Longevity: the longer a meme survives, the more copies can be made from it.

Copy the product vscopy the instruction

• Example: Dutch stue• Copying the instruction only possible in

organisms that are able to frame relationally (use language)

Meme-gene coevolution

• Memetic drive (Blackmore, 1999)• Selection of brains that are good in imitating

(mirror neurons!)• ‘big brain’ theory physical adaptation of

the brain, relatively big neocortex

Genes vs Memes

• The ‘genetic leash’ (Lumsden & Wilson) seems to be broken memetic replication does not have to be good for genes

Culture/memes

Contragenetic behavior

• The ‘genetic leash’ (Lumsden & Wilson) seems to be broken memetic replication does not have to be good for genes

• Memes are selfish: their only goal is to get replicated as much as possible

Who profits? Memes

RFT and memetics are highly complementary theories which

explain each other’s missing links

RFT and Memetics

RFT• Selectionistic foundation• Explains complex human

behavior

• Evolutionairy function of contragenetic behavior unclear

Memetics• Selectionistic foundation• Explains complex human

behavior

• Psychological mechanism of imitation unclear

The Missing Link

Hypothesis: Relational framing increases

chance of memetic reproduction

Mechanisms

• Stimulus Relational Framing activation of bigger cognitive network transformation of stimulusfunction reproduction of memes

DANGER

Dixon et al (2003)

Relational responding….

..results in reproduction of memes

DANGER

Theo van Gogh 1957-2004

Translation: “The cross will not make place for the mosque”

Mr. Wilders

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Common sense

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

different

Mechanisms

• Stimulus Relational Framing activation of bigger cognitive network transformation of stimulusfunction reproduction of memes

• Memetic reproduction through experiential avoidance

Experiential avoidance and reproduction of memes

• Death of a loved one avoidance of painful experiences immortal soul living on in heaven reproduction of religious/dualistic memes

• Death of a loved one acceptance of painful experiences no need for immortal soul no reproduction of religious/dualistic memes

Is relational framing itself a meme?

• Relational framing is an idea that gets replicated

• Relational framing as behavior is taught by multiple exemplar learing in which imitative behavior is rewarded in certain contexts

Who benefits from combining RFT and memetical paradigms?

• RFT- even more complex behavior explained- increasing ‘evolutionairy validity’

• Memetics: - psychological mechanism of transmission explained (copy the instruction)- methodology (predicton and influence)

Memetic experiment

• White Bear Suppression Revised

The future of science of mind?

Memetics

Mirror neurons

Contemporary philosophical

models*

* Multiple draft model (Dennett) Self as memeplex (Blackmore) Self as ‘strange loop’ (Hofstadter)

Thank you very much for your attention!

Marco Kleenmarcokleen@hotmail.com

RFT and evolution: are memetics the missing link?

Documents

RFT and evolution: are memetics the missing link? Marco Kleen, psychologist PsyAdvies / BrainDynamics University of Groningen

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