Which principle outlines that all actions stem from heredity or environmental factors?

The principle that all actions stem from heredity or environmental factors is known as determinism. Determinism posits that every event or action, including human behavior, is the result of preceding events governed by laws of nature. In the context of behavior analysis, this means that individual behavior is influenced and shaped by either genetic predispositions (heredity) or environmental stimuli.

Understanding determinism is essential in behavior analysis, as it emphasizes that behaviors are not random; rather, they can be predicted and modified based on identifiable variables. This principle aligns closely with the scientific method, which relies on the idea that behaviors can be understood and changed through systematic observation and manipulation of environmental factors.

The other concepts listed do not relate directly to this foundational principle. Generativity relates to the ability to create new ideas or products, pragmatism focuses on practical consequences as a measure of truth, and the term effective relates more to the success of an intervention or action rather than the underlying causes of behavior itself. These distinctions reinforce why determinism is the appropriate choice for understanding the origins of behavior within this framework.