Mythbusters united? A dialogue over Harris's integrationist linguistics and Gibson's Ecological Psychology

In this paper an integrationist linguist (Peter E Jones) and Ecological Psychologist (Catherine Read) open a dialogue on the possibility of productive relationship between approach to language communication Roy Harris James Gibson's Psychology perceiving/acting/knowing. Within their own disciplinary contexts, each position is one profound critique innovation in relation established pervasive ‘myths’. Specifically, concerned with ‘language myth’—the explicit positions implicit assumptions Western tradition (including modern linguistics) about nature communication. sharp contrast mainstream approaches, rejects both coding representational views meaning takes signs linguistic signs) be product, rather than precondition, communicational activity. Similarly, Gibson critiques how perception place, especially case vision, that have informed science at least since Descartes' Optics. particular, passive ‘retinal image fallacy’ seeing favour activity based non-representational perspective ‘direct perception’. The offers critical over key theoretical perspectives traditions, focusing particularly import implications theorist's claims other's field. Highlighting areas apparent common ground across two we also argue appears not entirely free belong Harris's myth’, while times assume ‘image’ model rejected. context current interest possible reconciliation or combination integrational linguistics Psychology, paper, therefore, raises fundamental questions around extent which these independently developed programmes demythologization are compatible possibly synergistic.