Experimental analysis of behaviour in the European French‐speaking area

Abstract

The influence and development of behaviour analysis in French‐speaking Europe has been different in the different countries, as can be seen when comparing developments in France and in the French‐speaking parts of Belgium and Switzerland. French psychology has shown persistent reluctance towards behaviour analysis, except for a few individuals in a few institutional circles. On the other hand, Belgium has been the main centre from which behaviour analysis has propagated to the French‐speaking area as a whole. Territorial specificities both in experimental analysis and in applied behaviour analysis are described and placed in context. In general, French‐speaking Europe has not been especially receptive to Skinner's radical analysis of behaviour. Few of Skinner's books have been translated into French, as compared with other major Western languages. In none of the geographical areas being considered was psychology prepared to integrate radical behaviourism, in spite of its having important experimental developments in learning, perception, cognition, and other basic processes. By the time some faint echoes of Skinner's work reached France and its neighbours, cognitivism had already invaded. In spite of the lack of experimental and conceptual developments, applications mainly in behaviour therapy and in special and normal education did take place in all French‐speaking countries.