Final answer:
Representational holding, likely a misnomer, seems to refer to the cognitive concept of mental representations, which are critiqued by behavioral perspectives—particularly semantic behaviorism—for implying a non-physical 'mind' separate from observable behavior. Behavioral economists have pointed out that behaviors, often called irrational, can have systematic patterns that need further exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term representational holding appears to be a variation or misunderstanding of the psychological concept of representation from a cognitive perspective, which pertains to the basic elements of thinking, such as ideas or thoughts. Representations are information-bearing units in our cognitive processes, whether through perception, imagination, memory, or desire. The problem with representationalism, or the notion that mental states are representations, from a behavioral perspective, is that it implies a separation between the mind and the body, suggesting that the mind holds representations as a kind of container. Behavioral perspectives, particularly semantic behaviorism, critique this by arguing that the 'mind' should not be treated as a separate entity but rather as a series of observable behaviors. This perspective challenges the dualistic view and suggests that the language of 'minds' encourages a false separation between mental states and physical actions or behaviors.
Behavioral economists highlight that what may be considered irrational behavior often has systematic patterns and underlying reasons. This approach questions the dichotomy between rationality and irrationality, suggesting that behaviors, including cognitive representations, should be examined in context to uncover the functions they serve.