Pragmatism: Truth Is What Works
Welcome back! This is the fifth post in our series on the philosophical foundations of behavior analysis. We’ve already explored Selectionism, Determinism, Empiricism, and Parsimony. Now, it’s time for Pragmatism—the idea that what matters most is what actually works in the real world.
At its core, pragmatism says that something is true or valuable if it leads to successful, practical outcomes. It’s not about perfect theories or endless debates. It’s about results that improve lives.
Pragmatism in Everyday Life: Bryan’s Diet and Other Health Wins
Take Bryan, who wants to improve his health. He reads that eating more vegetables and lean proteins helps people feel better and stay healthy. Bryan doesn’t get stuck wondering if the seeds in tomatoes or the shape of broccoli florets make a big difference. He just eats his veggies and moves on. That’s pragmatism—focus on what makes a difference without sweating the small stuff.
Now, imagine Sarah trying to sleep better. She reads advice that blue light from screens messes with sleep. She experiments with turning off her phone an hour before bed. She’s not worried about whether it’s the exact wavelength or brightness causing trouble—she just knows it helps her sleep better, and that’s what counts.
And here’s one more: Mike wants to start exercising. He knows he should move more but hates the gym. So he takes walks with his dog. Sure, it’s not fancy, but it gets him moving and feeling better. That’s pragmatism again: effective action beats perfect theory.
Pragmatism in Clinical Work: Keeping It Real
Imagine you’re coaching parents over video calls to help with their kids’ challenging behaviors. Your warm smiles and nods seem to encourage parents to stick with the plan during sessions. But what if the next step is to switch to email feedback only? Will your “good job!” still land the same way without those smiles and nods?
Pragmatism asks: Does your praise work as reinforcement without the extras? If not, what tweaks help keep parents motivated? The answer isn’t about what “should” work; it’s about what does.
Pragmatism in Consultation: The Blazer Mystery
You always wear a blazer to work because it feels professional and confident. Your consulting work with a mental health team gets great feedback, and client outcomes improve. Could wearing a blazer be a secret ingredient? Maybe. But does it matter?
Probably not. Pragmatism says your time and energy are better spent on the quality of your work and relationships—not on investigating if the blazer makes the difference.
Why Pragmatism Matters in Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis is about making meaningful improvements in people’s lives. We work with public and private behaviors to create real, positive change.
Pragmatism keeps us focused on the end goal—not just theories or jargon, but effective interventions that truly help.
Pragmatism Keeps Us Grounded and Flexible
Sometimes our first plan won’t work perfectly. Pragmatism reminds us to stay flexible, measure outcomes, and adjust as needed. It helps us avoid getting stuck in debates and instead focus on what actually helps the people we support.
Wrapping It Up
When you find yourself caught up in details or theoretical arguments, ask: Is this helping right now?
If not, maybe it’s time to change tactics. That’s the power of pragmatism—putting effective action front and center.
Next up, we’ll explore Philosophical Doubt—the attitude that keeps us questioning and improving. Even if it’s not on the BACB Test Content Outline, it’s essential to being a good behavior analyst.
Happy studying,
The Learning Behavior Analysis Team