Mentalism

Mentalism explains behavior through assumptions about the existence of inner and mental faculties as the root cause of a behavior.
The key component to mentalism is that it attempts to explain the cause of behavior through assumption-based concepts, as opposed to the concepts of private events outlined in radical behaviorism.

Forms of Mentalism

1. Hypothetical Construct

This is a theory based on an unobserved process of thought containing various conceptual elements. Typically, they are subjective and not based on empirical evidence.

Examples include:

  • free will

  • self-esteem

  • pride

  • dedication

  • intelligence

Each of these concepts could be used as causes of behavior, but doing so would rely on hypothetical constructs rather than observable measures.

Example: Intuition

2. Explanatory Fiction

An explanatory fiction is a fictitious or hypothetical variable that often acts as another name for the observed phenomenon it claims to explain. It contributes nothing to functional relationships.

Terms such as “intelligence” or “cognitive awareness” are used as explanations for behavior that are not observable and measurable.

For example:
“The use of intelligence led to…”
This does not clarify why an organism presses a lever when the light is on and food is available but does not press it when the light is off.

Example: Zoe gets great grades on her assignments at school because she’s so intelligent.

3. Circular Reasoning

This concept uses the effect of behavior to explain the cause, and vice-versa — creating a loop of reasoning.

Example:
“He is smart because he did the behavior. He did the behavior because he is smart.”

Another Example:
John is a good man because he follows his intuition. I can tell John follows his intuition because he is a good man.

Radical Behaviorism vs. Mentalism

Radical Behaviorism and Mentalism are two contrasting viewpoints within psychology, particularly regarding the nature of behavior and its causes.

1. Radical Behaviorism

Proposed by B.F. Skinner, Radical Behaviorism emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior.

Key points:

  • All behaviors are shaped through conditioning and reinforcement from the environment

  • Focus on observable behaviors

  • Uses empirical methods for study

  • Internal events (like thoughts and feelings) are considered behaviors themselves, subject to the same principles as observable actions

2. Mentalism

In contrast, Mentalism asserts that behavior is the result of internal mental states and processes.

Mentalists believe:

  • Thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and intentions cause behavior

  • The focus is more on the mind and less on observable behavior

How to Distinguish the Two:

Ask yourself:

  • Is the explanation for behavior based on observable environmental factors or inferred internal states?

  • Is behavior explained in terms of conditioning and reinforcement (Radical Behaviorism) or thoughts, intentions, and feelings (Mentalism)?

  • Does the explanation rely on empirical data (Radical Behaviorism) or on introspective/anecdotal evidence (Mentalism)?

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