Analytic-behavioral possibilities to the analysis and investigation of Personality Disorders

Abstract

Personality is an assuredly central theme within the psychological sciences. It is traditionally regarded as an explanatory immaterial instance, responsible for overt behavior, and closely related to our understanding of individuality. In behavior analysis, the concept’s operational description and the understanding of its functionally related variables are highlighted. From this perspective, personality is understood differential responding selected by historical and current contingencies. Beyond the understanding of socalled personality-building processes special attention is drawn to functionally understanding personalities regarded as “deviant” or “afflicting”. This study aims at presenting possibilities of assessment and investigation for personality disorders from behavior analysis perspective. More specifically, functional analysis is proposed as a complementary model to the DSM in the evaluation and definition of interventions. Additionally, we propose an investigation of response classes typically associated with personality disorders through experimental models of behavioral momentum, naturalistic paradigm of abusive mother, and impulsivity.