[ RE-POSTED: IT DISAPPEARED FROM LIST and problems associating it with a Project ]
Would you like to explore a perspective, a theory, that is as empirical as possible and yet also possible? That is what I believe can be found in the main paper, "A Human Ethogram ...", in the "Human Ethology and Development" Project. Thanks to new eye-tracking technology the hypotheses can be investigated (and tested). I believe the perspective, if results come in verifying hypotheses, can be tremendously integrative -- in time incorporating all behavioral phenomenon I can think of. I call this the Ethogram Theory, and it is basically a neo-Piagetian, cognitive-developmental theory [but unlike Piaget's own theory, factors in "maturation" are sought out and are the bases of the unique hypotheses (the only unique hypotheses) of the theory].
And, it is reasonably [perhaps ultimately] simple and not subject to any vagaries or any needless complexities (at all); there are no intuited or external constructs or models (or thinking-by-analogy) involved, no intuited processes, and no confusions. It is well-founded on biology and in the terms of classical ethology (all of them). ) It is as close to pure empiricism as possible when looking at the behavior of a biological being with significant cognitive processes (and development); the assumptions are absolutely minimal and all in the service of maximizing empiricism and empiricism in a way which should most definitely be considered, since the only assumptions are very likely true. It is in conformity with (and makes use of) the knowledge of all other basic capacities (in particular, memory processes) which are involved in cognition and conceptualizations (all based on solid established memory research, i.e. what are considered BASIC FACTS). Then there is the well-recognized phenomenon of associative learning. That is really it, except for a recognition that cognition undergoes some qualitative changes (I need not say "stages") during development -- and THAT is made completely explicit in the nature and potential (likely) existence of the hypothesized entities: perceptual (perceptual/attentional) shifts, the very things that are the ONLY basic new hypotheses or aspects of the theory (so they will be or not, as looked for and found or not).
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Human-Ethology-and-Development and especially:
[see link to paper attached, below]
Article A Human Ethogram: Its Scientific Acceptability and Importanc...
What are your questions? I like the new description better than the other one but not sure where you are going with this?
Dear Barbara L. Mccombs
Easy Answer: Someone is going to do eye-tracking studies to try to verify the hypotheses of the Ethogram Theory. (It will not be me: I am retired and have no equipment or resources of any kind.)
You may or may not recall: I have waited 32 years to come back with this theory, awaiting the possibility of having the technology to test the hypotheses (many might feel lucky that I am not dead). Now the technology exists. Unfortunately, I am too old, etc. to do that. This should be a gift to someone who "believes" or sees as I do.
My question is: WHO WILL DO IT? (Thanks for asking !)
Thanks, Brad, for your answer and question -- as an old timer myself, I am busy gathering other old timers to see if we have the combined wisdom to offer solutions to some age-old problems like changing paradigms or changing political or individual will. we come from diverse fields and two of us have never met but we can now do online collaborations, research sharing, learning together, and then write something that just might make a difference. My best to you as I do believe that one is never too old to do anything ...
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology