The Reluctant Alliance: Behaviorism and Humanism [Hardcover]

Bobby Newman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1992

Humanistic psychology and behaviour analysis have long been viewed as staunch opponents in the practice of psychology. Newman's careful research into the theories, positions, and approaches of both camps dispels the myths of behaviourists as cold "manipulators" and of humanistic psychologists as weak-willed "armchair philosophers". After examining both systems, he outlines their shared philosophical and historical roots. Newman explores such questions as: How should psychotherapy be conducted? How is moral behaviour created and maintained? Is behaviourism unethical? and What forms of education are most effective at imparting information and improving self-concepts?

Product Details

• Hardcover: 130 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (June 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879757272
• ISBN-13: 978-0879757274
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,531,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bobby Newman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Psychologist. Bobby is the first author on nine books regarding behavior therapy, the philosophy of behaviorism, the autism spectrum disorders, and utopian literature. He has published over two dozen articles in professional journals, as well as numerous popular magazine articles. A popular speaker, Bobby also provides direct treatment, staff training and consultation around the world, and has been honored for this work by several parents and professional groups. Bobby is a lay leader with the Full Inclusion Living and Learning Unitarian Universalist Society (FILL UUS) and a Religious Exploration/Education facilitator for the South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation (SNUUC). He is the director of Room to Grow and co-founder of the CUP Cafe (Coffee's Untapped Potential), a Fair Trade coffee cafe staffed entirely by individuals with developmental disabilities.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, August 5, 2008

By 

XraySpex - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Reluctant Alliance: Behaviorism and Humanism (Hardcover)

Irony: People are conditioned to reject conditioning. Our culture continues to criticize behavioral psychology because the conclusions are the opposite of what people learn to accept without question. Thank you Bobby Newman for providing a book that will expose people to the importance of this technology in a user friendly way. Behavioral technology and understanding human behavior is needed to not only improve the world and provide hope for the human race, but to also give people a true scientific perspective and understanding of how we fit in with the evolutionary process. We aren't magical autonomous freaks. We are beautiful animals that live in a world that selects our genetics as well as our behavior. Our society is starting to recognize the men of science, but their ignorance is obvious and sad. To understand the evolutionary chain you must understand human behavior and they just have no clue. Human behavior is based on consequences, selected for just like genetic material. Just like evolution the process isn't always obvious and can go against common sense, but the reality is obvious to anyone that gains understanding. Stop reading criticisms that show complete misunderstandings of behaviorism and read About Behaviorism by B.F. Skinner and then read this book. Hopefully one day the ignorance of people like Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, Steven Pinker, Christopher Hitchens, etc... won't be reinforced and the Bobby Newman's of this world that actually exhibit intelligent, compassionate, caring behavior will. Stop reading the criticisms. Read the sources. Great book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant indeed., May 3, 2011

By 

M. Slobin (Great Neck, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reluctant Alliance: Behaviorism and Humanism (Hardcover)

This early work by Bobby Newman closely examines the similarities and compatibility of 2 opposing schools of thought: Humanism and Behaviorism. The history and an overview of both areas are discussed in detail along with explanations of pertinent terminology. Controverial areas are addressed including the ethics of applied behavior analysis in addition to an examination of moral behavior.

For fans of Dr. Newman's writings, this book is heavier in content and excludes the twisted humor and personal stories which have become somewhat of his trademark.
Regardless, this disputatious yet brilliant work is well worth the intelligent read.