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

th aniversary of On The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

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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 Art Philosophy Technique

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

Meme-cariers Anology: meme-memecarrier, gene-genotype Human brains Media: books, CD’s, DVD’s, internet Buildings, fashion, music, cultural manifestations, lectures, congresses, discussions

Mutation original: “5th symphony” (Beethoven)

Mutation mutation: “5th symphony” (Steve Vai)

The Wuppie-meme (Weeple) ± 1970 US1980 Netherlands dormant period, 2006 mutations (color+ size) 2006 Netherlands: WK (worldcup) wuppie and ‘megawuppie’ 2008 Netherlands: EK welpie 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 vs copy 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

GENES Culture/memes

GENES Culture/memes

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 Relational responding….

..results in reproduction of memes Translation: “The cross will not make place for the mosque” Mr. Wilders

Relational responding…. Cognitive Behavior Therapy Common sense Acceptance and Commitment Therapy same different

..results in reproduction of memes

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? RFT Memetics ToM 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 Kleen