Perceptual Control Theory

Perceptual Control Theory

Author: William T. Powers

Publisher: Living Control Systems Publ

Published: 2016-05-17

Total Pages: 426

ISBN-13: 1938090128

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These introductions and readings provide a comprehensive range of information for the study of Perceptual Control Theory—papers, books, book reviews, resources on-line, demos and tutorial programs for your computer. Perceptual Control Theory, PCT, results from one man's curiosity, expertise, creativity and determination. The articles, books, and tutorial programs introduced in this volume would not have been written, certainly not this way, if it were not for William T. (Bill) Powers's seminal insight and tireless efforts across more that sixty years. The PCT explanation for what behavior is, how it works and what it accomplishes is well documented. It lays a foundation for a new natural science and can handle behavioral phenomena within a single testable concept of how living systems work. You can demonstrate it yourself with functioning computer simulations. Whether you are interested in improving education, resolving chronic psychological stress, understanding what is going on with an inconsolable baby, understanding the basis for our universal sense of justice, getting a different take on what emotions are, resolving conflict in general, becoming a better parent, manager, sales person, friend or lover, you will find fascinating insight when you review these readings and study this new explanatory concept with care.


The Interdisciplinary Handbook of Perceptual Control Theory, Volume II

The Interdisciplinary Handbook of Perceptual Control Theory, Volume II

Author: Warren Mansell

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2023-03-14

Total Pages: 446

ISBN-13: 0323998410

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Given the fundamental challenges to society in this era, a radical rewrite of how we approach science and culture is necessary. This handbook applies Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) to achieve a much needed convergence across the physical, life and social sciences, the humanities and arts. In doing so it addresses challenges such as mental illness, dementia, cancer care, toxic masculinity and societal oppression. It also reveals how PCT can be applied to practical issues such as understanding healthcare service implementation and human-machine interaction, as well as deeper questions such as consciousness and imagination. This second volume of the successful interdisciplinary handbook offers rich examples of how the unifying perceptual control framework can provide a viable alternative to existing theories and methodologies for a timely paradigm shift. - Examines the relationship between our perceptions, consciousness, and imagination - Provides computational and mathematical models for physiological systems, such as human movement, human-machine interaction, and psychological processes such as recovery from mental health problems - Presents health as control which leads to game-changing suggestions in designing interventions for health behavior, cancer support, care for dementia, and mental health services - Helps readers comprehend goals of teachers and students in education from a PCT perspective to show how educative interactions could be less coercive and foster flourishing - The value of PCT is demonstrated in understanding cultural memes and social challenges such as toxic masculinity


Psychiatry and Neuroscience Update

Psychiatry and Neuroscience Update

Author: Pascual Ángel Gargiulo

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-01-23

Total Pages: 681

ISBN-13: 3030617211

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This broad and thought-provoking volume provides an overview of recent intellectual and scientific advances that intersect psychiatry and neuroscience, offering a wide range of penetrating insights in both disciplines. The fourth volume on the topic in the last several years from a varying panel of international experts identifies the borders, trends and implications in both fields today and goes beyond that into related disciplines to seek out connections and influences. Similar to its three Update book predecessors, Psychiatry and Neuroscience – Volume IV presents a range of interesting topics in the main disciplines – psychiatry and neuroscience – and attempts to provide deeper comprehension or explication of the normal and diseased human mind, its biological correlates and its biographical and existential implications. This engaging volume continues the previous style of exploring different disciplines and trying to integrate disciplinary evidence from varying points of view in an organic manner. The first section is about epistemological considerations regarding the study of normal and abnormal human behaviors, including, for example, the topic of phenomenological psychopathology and phenomenological psychiatry in relation to schizophrenia and substance misuse, among other topics. Section 2 addresses issues around the translation of basic neuroscience to expression in the human brain and behavioral implications. Section 3 discusses the issues of learning, teaching and the role of social environment in the field of neuroscience. Finally section 4 reviews various perspectives on explaining human pathological behaviors -- from brain disorders to psychopathology.


Behavior

Behavior

Author: William T Powers

Publisher:

Published: 2024-07-02

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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In 1973, William T. Powers published the original version of Behavior: The Control of Perception. In the second edition, Powers made some minor edits and clarifications and added a chapter on "Emotion". This third edition, published by the Powers Family, contains all of the changes and additions included in the second edition, with a few minor typos corrected. This is the book that forms the basis for the research conducted by the International Association for Perceptual Control Theory (https: //www.iapct.org/). From the author: "This book represents, I hope, a step on the path back to a concept of man as autonomous, and away from the concept of man as automaton. Yet in allowing my humanistic bias to hold sway, I do not think I have denied science. Indeed, to most readers the first part of this book will seem a direct denial of my hope, for it gives a deliberately and specifically mechanistic picture of how the central nervous system behaves. Only after the mechanistic model is thoroughly understood will the reader see that it leads beyond ordinary mechanism and that it is capable of describing the interface between what we can represent as mechanism and what we cannot yet represent at all, but only experience." "The conclusion we are led to by the thinking in this book is that there is mechanism in behavior-but it is not the mechanism the behaviorists have in mind, for it is capable of having inner purposes in the full humanistic sense. On the other hand we are led also to seek not just a model of behavioral mechanisms, but a deep awareness that we are constructing a model; and we are encouraged to apply the model to ourselves. "


A New Unified Theory of Psychology

A New Unified Theory of Psychology

Author: Gregg Henriques

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2011-08-17

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 1461400589

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Concern about psychology’s fragmentation is not new, but there has for the past decade been increasing calls for psychologists to acknowledge to the costs associated with fragmentation and to search for ways to unify the discipline. A New Unified Theory of Psychology introduces a new system that addresses psychology’s current theoretical and philosophical difficulties. The new theory consists of four interlocking pieces that together provide—for the first time—a macro-level view that clarifies the nature of psychology’s problems and offers a clear way to unify the various elements of the field. The unified theory provides the field of psychology with a well-defined subject matter, allowing both academic and professional psychologists will be able to develop a shared language and conceptual foundation.


Management and Leadership

Management and Leadership

Author: Dag Forssell

Publisher: Living Control Systems Publ

Published: 2008-03

Total Pages: 112

ISBN-13: 0974015555

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Forssell introduces a new understanding of purposeful behavior--Perceptual Control Theory--and shows how to apply it to a wide range of leadership problems.


People as Living Things

People as Living Things

Author: Philip Julian Runkel

Publisher: Living Control Systems Publ

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 542

ISBN-13: 0974015504

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Runkel links Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) thinking to psychological literature and discusses it against that background.


The Origin of Concepts

The Origin of Concepts

Author: Susan Carey

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 609

ISBN-13: 0199838801

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New in paperback-- A transformative book on the way we think about the nature of concepts and the relations between language and thought.