Molar and molecular analysis: two visions of behavior

The confrontation between the molar and the molecular approach to the study of behavior has regainedimportance. Both viewpoints are contrasted in this article, indicating their common ground butemphasizing its discrepancies. These discrepancies are present in the conceptualization of behavior asevent, in the interpretation of behavioral data (illustrated with the study of avoidance behavior), and inthe comprehension of mental events (illustrated with the notion of pain). In all these instances, thetheoretical superiority of a molar over a molecular perspective is evident.