Beyond the Matter of Size – Aspects of Molar Behaviorism

What does it mean to conduct a molar analysis of behavior? Since Tolman introduced the term molar to describe his approach to behavior in the 1930s, the answers to this question have been manifold. Not only are molar and molecular analyses of behavior different in how large or small units they split up the investigated activities; both approaches also differ fundamentally, among other things, in their direction of investigation, in their treatment of mental and private events and in the role they ascribe to the notion of reinforcement. The presentation addresses those facets of a molar analysis using the example of self-control.