Why is Rudolph pressing that lever in that weird box?
Because he wants some water!
This is an example of
A) Radical behaviorism
B) Parsimony
C) Pragmatism
D) Circular reasoning
E) Selectionism

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The answer to the question "Why is Rudolph pressing that lever in that weird box? Because he wants some water!" is an example of:
A) Radical behaviorism
Radical behaviorism would focus on observable behaviors and the environmental factors that reinforce them. In this case, Rudolph's pressing of the lever is the observable behavior, and the desire for water could be seen as the reinforcing outcome that increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated. However, radical behaviorism typically avoids inferring internal states like "wants," so this explanation might not be the best fit.
B) Parsimony
Parsimony refers to the principle that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one. This principle is often used in scientific theories and explanations. The statement provided is a simple explanation for Rudolph's behavior, but parsimony itself is not an explanation; it's a principle for choosing between explanations.
C) Pragmatism
Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that considers thought and action in terms of their practical effects and benefits. While the explanation given could be seen as pragmatic (Rudolph is pressing the lever to achieve a practical outcome), pragmatism as a philosophy is broader than this specific instance of behavior.
D) Circular reasoning
Circular reasoning is a logical fallacy where the conclusion is included in the premise of the argument, offering no actual evidence and simply restating the initial assumption. The given explanation does not appear to be circular, as it provides a reason for the behavior (wanting water) rather than simply restating the behavior itself.
E) Selectionism
Selectionism refers to the concept that behaviors are selected by their consequences, similar to how natural selection operates in evolution. This explanation could fit the scenario, as Rudolph's behavior of pressing the lever is being selected by the consequence of obtaining water.
Based on the information provided, the most appropriate answer would be:
A) Radical behaviorism
This is because the explanation focuses on the behavior of pressing the lever and its consequence (getting water), which is in line with the behaviorist perspective of understanding behavior through observable actions and their reinforcement. However, it's important to note that the inclusion of Rudolph's "want" for water is not typical of radical behaviorism, which usually avoids discussing internal states.

Why Is Rudolph Pressing That Lever in That Weird Box