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

2. 2009 150th aniversary of On The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

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10. Does relational framing increase genetic fitness? 10marcokleen@hotmail.com

11. "behavior analysts think of the shaping of behavior as working in just the same way as the evolution of species" (Baum, 1994, p. 64). 11marcokleen@hotmail.com

12. “Both the evolution of species and the evolution of behavior can be described as selection by consequences” (Skinner, 1981) 12marcokleen@hotmail.com

13. 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 ) 13marcokleen@hotmail.com

14. Science Art Philosophy Technique 14marcokleen@hotmail.com

15. Medicine Shelter Communication GENETIC FITNESS 15marcokleen@hotmail.com

16. Destructive normality 16marcokleen@hotmail.com

17. Psychopathology GENETIC FITNESS?? X Self- sterilizing behavior Warfare Genocide Terrorism 17marcokleen@hotmail.com

18. “Cui bono?” (Dennett) (who profits?) 18marcokleen@hotmail.com

19. What is the function of contragenetic behavior? 19marcokleen@hotmail.com

20. Evolutionairy algorithm (Darwin, 1859) If there is variety… and if there is selection… and if there is heredity…..then there MUST be evolution 20marcokleen@hotmail.com

21. 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 21marcokleen@hotmail.com

22. “Darwinism is too big a theory to be confined to the narrow context of the gene” Richard Dawkins, 1976 22marcokleen@hotmail.com

23. Is the gene the only replicator? 23marcokleen@hotmail.com

24. The second replicator: the meme 24marcokleen@hotmail.com

25. 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 25marcokleen@hotmail.com

26. Example 1. “I just can’t get you out of my head” (Kylie Minogue, 2002) 26marcokleen@hotmail.com

27. Imitation Vertical: from one generation to the next Horizontal: spreading of contagious ideas within one generation marcokleen@hotmail.com27

28. Meme-cariers Anology: meme-memecarrier, gene-genotype Human brains Media: books, CD’s, DVD’s, internet Buildings, fashion, music, cultural manifestations, lectures, congresses, discussions 28marcokleen@hotmail.com

29. Mutation original: “5th symphony” (Beethoven) 29marcokleen@hotmail.com

30. Mutation mutation: “5th symphony” (Steve Vai) 30marcokleen@hotmail.com

31. The Wuppie-meme (Weeple) ± 1970 US1980 Netherlands 1981- 2005 dormant period, 2006 mutations (color+ size) 2006 Netherlands: WK (worldcup) wuppie and ‘megawuppie’ 2008 Netherlands: EK welpie 2006-2007 dormant period, 2008 major mutation 31marcokleen@hotmail.com

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33. 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. marcokleen@hotmail.com33

34. 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) marcokleen@hotmail.com34

35. 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 marcokleen@hotmail.com35

36. Genes vs Memes The ‘genetic leash’ (Lumsden & Wilson) seems to be broken  memetic replication does not have to be good for genes marcokleen@hotmail.com36

37. marcokleen@hotmail.com37 GENES Culture/memes

38. marcokleen@hotmail.com38 GENES Culture/memes

39. marcokleen@hotmail.com39 GENES Culture/memes

40. 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 marcokleen@hotmail.com40

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42. Who profits? Memes 42marcokleen@hotmail.com

43. RFT and memetics are highly complementary theories which explain each other’s missing links 43marcokleen@hotmail.com

44. 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 44marcokleen@hotmail.com

45. Hypothesis: Relational framing increases chance of memetic reproduction 45marcokleen@hotmail.com

46. Mechanisms Stimulus  Relational Framing  activation of bigger cognitive network  transformation of stimulusfunction  reproduction of memes marcokleen@hotmail.com46

47. DANGER Dixon et al (2003) Relational responding…. 47marcokleen@hotmail.com

48. ..results in reproduction of memes 48marcokleen@hotmail.com

49. DANGER Theo van Gogh 1957-2004 Relational responding…. 49marcokleen@hotmail.com

50. ..results in reproduction of memes Translation: “The cross will not make place for the mosque” Mr. Wilders 50marcokleen@hotmail.com

51. Relational responding…. Cognitive Behavior Therapy Common sense Acceptance and Commitment Therapy same different 51marcokleen@hotmail.com

52. ..results in reproduction of memes 52marcokleen@hotmail.com

53. Mechanisms Stimulus  Relational Framing  activation of bigger cognitive network  transformation of stimulusfunction  reproduction of memes Memetic reproduction through experiential avoidance marcokleen@hotmail.com53

54. 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 marcokleen@hotmail.com54

55. 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 marcokleen@hotmail.com55

56. 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) marcokleen@hotmail.com56

57. Memetic experiment White Bear Suppression Revised marcokleen@hotmail.com57

58. The future of science of mind? RFT Memetics ToM Mirror neurons Contemporary philosophical models* ? 58marcokleen@hotmail.com * Multiple draft model (Dennett) Self as memeplex (Blackmore) Self as ‘strange loop’ (Hofstadter)

59. Thank you very much for your attention! Marco Kleen marcokleen@hotmail.com