Notes on the dichotomy “innate” versus “learnt”

Authors

  • Marcus Bentes de Carvalho Neto
  • Emmanuel Zagury Tourinho

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v5i1.3320

Keywords:

Innate versus learnt, radical behaviourism, classical ethology, environmentalism versus innatism

Abstract

The literature that concentrates on the debate surrounding “innate” versus “learnt” in the determination of the behavioural phenomenon is often paradoxical: whilst stating that there is an unequivocal interaction between “biological” and “environmental” factors (which are indissoluble), also suggests that these different instances may act in an independent manner in the constitution and determination of the actions of organisms. This paper represents an attempt t  achieve conceptual clarification regarding the validity or otherwise of this dichotomy based on the treatment of the matter by B. F. Skinner and K. Lorenz. Three different dyads are suggested (“genes” & “environment”; “philogenesis” & “ontogenesis”; “innate behaviour” & “learnt behaviour”), where the dichotomy may or may not be adequate.

Keywords: Innate versus learnt; radical behaviourism; classical ethology; environmentalism versus innatism.

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How to Cite

de Carvalho Neto, M. B., & Tourinho, E. Z. (2001). Notes on the dichotomy “innate” versus “learnt”. Interação Em Psicologia, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v5i1.3320

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2001)

Section

Articles

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