Bargh and Ferguson: Beyond Behaviorism

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes John Bargh and Melissa Ferguson's article, "Beyond Behaviorism: On the Automaticity of Higher Mental Processes." It describes the goals of the paper and the issues that the authors analyze. It then discusses the empirical evidence that is provided to support the goals or propositions of the paper. Finally, the paper discusses the implications of the research that was done.

Table of Contents:
Goals of the Paper
Empirical Evidence of the Paper
Conclusion of the Paper
Implications for Social Cognition
Further Investigations
Holes in the Research

From the Paper:

"Bargh and Ferguson cover a tremendous range of information in their study. They begin with a consideration of behaviorism (926-27), with particular emphasis on its failure to open itself to any consideration of the higher order mental processes, so that it tried to treat man as something on par with a rat or a pigeon. Its most noted advocate, B.F. Skinner, eventually failed in his effort to present his doctrine. Turning to the development of cognitive psychology, they discuss the evidence of the automaticity of higher mental processes (928-29), the effects of non-conscious stimuli (929-30), evaluation, emotions, and judgments (930-32), goal-directed behavior (932-38), and controlled processes (932-39)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bargh, John A. & Ferguson, Melissa J. ((2000). Beyond Behaviorism: On the Automaticity of Higher Mental Processes. Psychology Bulletin. (126): 925-45.

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