Doesn’t the reduction happen automatically? We have a built-in imitation module (how much we use it is subjected to conditioning), like we have built-in vision and locomotion modules. From this module, we acquire new behaviours from the environment, which we then keep if they’re reinforced or lose if they’re punished. A meme is a behaviour picked up this way which 1) leads to others picking up the behaviour and 2) is reinforced.
ISTM that the hard part is how we pick up behaviours, but that this is completely beyond the scope of behaviourism—like it explains why we keep walking, but not why we start learning, let alone proprioception and motor control.
Yes, the theory doesn’t need more explanatory power to account for the idea of memes, so it does happen automatically. However it didn’t happen automatically in my brain… until you pointed to mirror neurons.
I’m still nagged though by the sensation that maybe “memes” can portray more complex features: think for example of a tune you keep singing to yourself to the point of irritation.
Doesn’t the reduction happen automatically? We have a built-in imitation module (how much we use it is subjected to conditioning), like we have built-in vision and locomotion modules. From this module, we acquire new behaviours from the environment, which we then keep if they’re reinforced or lose if they’re punished. A meme is a behaviour picked up this way which 1) leads to others picking up the behaviour and 2) is reinforced.
ISTM that the hard part is how we pick up behaviours, but that this is completely beyond the scope of behaviourism—like it explains why we keep walking, but not why we start learning, let alone proprioception and motor control.
Yes, the theory doesn’t need more explanatory power to account for the idea of memes, so it does happen automatically. However it didn’t happen automatically in my brain… until you pointed to mirror neurons.
I’m still nagged though by the sensation that maybe “memes” can portray more complex features: think for example of a tune you keep singing to yourself to the point of irritation.