From Behaviorism to Cognitive Psychology: Critical Notes for a Sociology of Psychology Del Conductismo a la Psicología Cognitiva: apuntes críticos para una sociología de la Psicología

Abstract

The present work attempts, firstly, to describe interruptions and continuities between Behavioural Psychology and Cognitive Psychology, in the framework of certain philosophical ideas and a sociopolitical context which is clearly crucial in the course of those mutations of psychology discipline. Secondly, the idea and possibility of any kind of “substitution” that Cognitive Psychology could act as replacement of psychoanalysis, taking as a nodal reference the concept of “representation”, is analyzed. Finally, the naturalistic foundations of both doctrines that inevitably lead to non critical positions, in social and adaptationist terms, regarding behavioural tendencies are highlighted.