The Seven Sins of Evolutionary Psychology - Konrad Lorenz Institute

Shulamith KreitlerBeliefs about SelfBeliefs about NormsBeliefs about GoalsGeneral BeliefsFigure 2: The Behavioral Intent.BehavioralIntentis neutral, a cluster of beliefs is formed (‘CO cluster’)orienting toward a particular act. It generates a unifiedtendency orienting toward the performance ofan action, which is called behavioral intent, and canbe considered as a vector representing the motivationaldisposition towards a given behavior (see Figure2).In many cases the process of forming a CO clusteris greatly reduced because there exist in memory almostcomplete CO clusters, formed on the basis ofpast recurrences of behaviors in similar situations.The meanings of the input allow for retrieving suchalmost-complete CO clusters and adapting them tothe present situation by the addition or transformationof a few beliefs. In other cases, when there arenot enough beliefs orienting toward the course ofaction in at least two belief types, no CO cluster willbe formed. The process will discontinue, especiallyif there are no personally relevant beliefs in the cluster.Similarly, when there is a paucity of beliefs of acertain type, an incomplete CO cluster will beformed which cannot be acted upon but may be discardedor stored for possible use in another situation.Another resulting possibility is the occurrence ofconflict (‘intent conflict’) when two CO clusters andconsequently two behavioral intents are formed.Another intriguing possibility consists in the formationof an inoperable cluster due to the inclusion of‘as if’ beliefs in one or more belief types. If, for example,the ‘as if’ beliefs come to replace other beliefs inthe beliefs about self and general beliefs, we may geta CO cluster orienting toward virtual action such asdaydreaming.The fourth stage is initiated by the formation of thebehavioral intent, and is focused on the question“how will I do it?” The answer is in the form of abehavioral program, namely, a hierarchically structuredsequence of instructions governing the performanceof the act, including both the more generalstrategy (‘program scheme’) as well as the more specifictactics (‘operational program’). Previouslyformed habits are major components embedded inthe programs. An important role is attributed to thebehavioral intent at this phase. It guides the selection,retrieval, modification and sometimes constructionof behavioral programs, and serves as aframe of reference for supervising program executionand evaluating outcomes.Different programs are involved in executing anovert molar act, a cognitive act, an emotional response,a daydreamed act, conflict resolution, etc.There appear to be four basic kinds of programs: (a)Innately determined programs, which are involvedprimarily in the output on the submolar level, e.g.,those controlling reflexes or classically conditionedresponses; (b) Programs that are partly innate andpartly acquired by learning, e.g., those controllinginstincts (as described by LORENZ 1965, or TINBERGEN1951), behaviors corresponding to defense mechanisms,and language behavior; (c) Programs acquiredthrough learning, e.g., those controlling culturallyshaped behaviors (running elections, etc.),or personal habits (e.g., forms of relaxing, makingfriends, arranging one’s cupboard); and (d) Programsconstructed by the individual ad hoc, in linewith situational requirements, often using existingprogram schemes, including plans for plan construction.Implementing a behavioral intent by a programrequires selecting and retrieving a program, and oftenadapting it to prevailing circumstances. A ‘programconflict’ may occur between two equally adequateprograms or between one that is about to beenacted while another is still in operation.The retrieval, adaptation and execution of theprogram, as well as determination of the end-pointin view of the behavioral intent also require cognitivecontrol.Major Advantages of the CO TheoryThe major cited advantages will be considered fromthe perspective of the human level, the level forwhich the theory was originally developed and inwhich it was primarily applied. The advantages arepartly applied and partly theoretical.The major advantage from the applied viewpointis that the CO theory enables predictions of behaviorsand changes in behavior by using systematicprocedures.Evolution and Cognition ❘ 86 ❘ 2001, Vol. 7, No. 1