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RFT and evolution: are memetics the missing link? Marco Kleen, psychologist PsyAdvies / BrainDynamics University of Groningen 2009 150th aniversary of On The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin [email protected] 3 [email protected] 4 [email protected] 5 [email protected] 6 [email protected] 7 [email protected] 8 [email protected] 9 Does relational framing increase genetic fitness? [email protected] 10 "behavior analysts think of the shaping of behavior as working in just the same way as the evolution of species" (Baum, 1994, p. 64). [email protected] 11 “Both the evolution of species and the evolution of behavior can be described as selection by consequences” (Skinner, 1981) [email protected] 12 • 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) [email protected] 13 Science Art Philosophy Technique [email protected] 14 Shelter Medicine GENETIC FITNESS [email protected] Communication 15 Destructive normality [email protected] 16 Psychopathology Genocide Selfsterilizing behavior Terrorism GENETIC FITNESS?? X Warfare [email protected] 17 “Cui bono?” (Dennett) (who profits?) [email protected] 18 What is the function of contragenetic behavior? [email protected] 19 Evolutionairy algorithm (Darwin, 1859) • If there is variety… • and if there is selection… • and if there is heredity… • ..then there MUST be evolution [email protected] 20 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 [email protected] 21 “Darwinism is too big a theory to be confined to the narrow context of the gene” Richard Dawkins, 1976 [email protected] 22 Is the gene the only replicator? [email protected] 23 The second replicator: the meme [email protected] 24 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 [email protected] 25 Example 1. “I just can’t get you out of my head” (Kylie Minogue, 2002) [email protected] 26 Imitation • Vertical: from one generation to the next • Horizontal: spreading of contagious ideas within one generation [email protected] 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 [email protected] 28 Mutation original: “5th symphony” (Beethoven) [email protected] 29 Mutation mutation: “5th symphony” (Steve Vai) [email protected] 30 The Wuppie-meme (Weeple) 1981- 2005 dormant period, 2006 mutations (color+ size) ± 1970 US 2008 Netherlands: EK welpie 1980 Netherlands 2006-2007 dormant period, 2008 major mutation [email protected] 2006 Netherlands: WK (worldcup) wuppie and ‘megawuppie’ 31 [email protected] 32 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. [email protected] 33 Copy the product vs copy the instruction • Example: Dutch stue • Copying the instruction only possible in organisms that are able to frame relationally (use language) [email protected] 34 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 [email protected] 35 Genes vs Memes • The ‘genetic leash’ (Lumsden & Wilson) seems to be broken memetic replication does not have to be good for genes [email protected] 36 GENES Culture/memes [email protected] 37 GENES Culture/memes [email protected] 38 GENES Culture/memes Culture/memes [email protected] 39 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 [email protected] 40 [email protected] 41 Who profits? Memes [email protected] 42 RFT and memetics are highly complementary theories which explain each other’s missing links [email protected] 43 RFT and Memetics RFT • Selectionistic foundation • Explains complex human behavior Memetics • Selectionistic foundation • Explains complex human behavior • Evolutionairy function of contragenetic behavior unclear • Psychological mechanism of imitation unclear The Missing Link [email protected] 44 Hypothesis: Relational framing increases chance of memetic reproduction [email protected] 45 Mechanisms • Stimulus Relational Framing activation of bigger cognitive network transformation of stimulusfunction reproduction of memes [email protected] 46 Relational responding…. DANGER Dixon et al (2003) [email protected] 47 ..results in reproduction of memes [email protected] 48 Relational responding…. Theo van Gogh 1957-2004 DANGER [email protected] 49 ..results in reproduction of memes Translation: “The cross will not make place for the mosque” Mr. Wilders [email protected] 50 Relational responding…. Cognitive Behavior Therapy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy same Common sense [email protected] 51 ..results in reproduction of memes [email protected] 52 Mechanisms • Stimulus Relational Framing activation of bigger cognitive network transformation of stimulusfunction reproduction of memes • Memetic reproduction through experiential avoidance [email protected] 53 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 [email protected] 54 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 [email protected] 55 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) [email protected] 56 Memetic experiment • White Bear Suppression Revised [email protected] 57 The future of science of mind? RFT ToM ? Memetics Mirror neurons Contemporary philosophical models* [email protected] * Multiple draft model (Dennett) Self as memeplex (Blackmore) Self as ‘strange loop’ (Hofstadter) 58 Thank you very much for your attention! Marco Kleen [email protected]