Towards a Unified Behavioral Science

The various behavioral disciplines model human behavior in distinct and incompatible ways. Yet, recent theoretical and empirical developments have created the conditions for rendering coherent the areas of overlap of the various behavioral disciplines, as outlined in this paper. The analytical tools deployed in this task incorporate core principles from several behavioral disciplines. The proposed framework recognizes evolutionary theory, covering both genetic and cultural evolution, as the integrating principle of behavioral science. Moreover, if decision theory and game theory are broadened to encompass non-self-regarding preferences, they become capable of contributing to the modeling of all aspects of decision making, including those normally considered “psychological,” “sociological” or “anthropological.” The mind as a decision-making organ then becomes the organizing principle of psychology.