Interdisciplinary Handbook Of Perceptual Control Theory

The Interdisciplinary Handbook of Perceptual Control Theory brings together the latest research, theory, and applications from W. T. Powers’ Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) that proposes that the behavior of a living organism lies in the control of perceived aspects of both itself and its environment. Sections cover theory, the application of PCT to a broad range of disciplines, why perceptual control is fundamental to understanding human nature, a new way to do research on brain processes and behavior, how the role of natural selection in behavior can be demystified, how engineers can emulate human purposeful behavior in robots, and much more. Each chapter includes an author biography to set the context of their work within the development of PCT. Presents case studies that show how PCT can be applied in different disciplines Illustrates the Test for the Controlled Variable (TCV) and the construction of functional models as fruitful alternatives to mainstream experimental design when studying behavior Shows how theory illuminates structure and functions in brain anatomy Compares and contrasts PCT with other contemporary, interdisciplinary theories

Interdisciplinary Handbook of Perceptual Control Theory: Current Perspectives brings together the latest research, theory and applications from W. T. Powers' Perceptual Control Theory (PCT). PCT proposes that the behavior of a living organism lies in the control of perceived aspects of both itself and its environment. Sections cover theory, the application of PCT to a broad range of disciplines, including philosophy, anthropology, education, health, culture and design. This volume complements the first volume with detailed, empirical and translational work on action control and learning, human-machine interaction, and mental health interventions. Chapters provide sophisticated analysis of current societal challenges such as the toxic culture of machismo and militarism, institutionalized discrimination, the changing nature of childhood, the rising prevalence of dementia in an aging society, and the stigmatization of mental illness.

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

This book proposes and explores the idea that the forced union of the aleatory and epistemic aspects of probability is a sterile hybrid, inspired and nourished for 300 years by a false hope of formalizing inductive reasoning, making uncertainty the object of precise calculation. Because this is not really a possible goal, statistical inference is not, cannot be, doing for us today what we imagine it is doing for us. It is for these reasons that statistical inference can be characterized as a myth. The book is aimed primarily at social scientists, for whom statistics and statistical inference are a common concern and frustration. Because the historical development given here is not merely anecdotal, but makes clear the guiding ideas and ambitions that motivated the formulation of particular methods, this book offers an understanding of statistical inference which has not hitherto been available. It will also serve as a supplement to the standard statistics texts. Finally, general readers will find here an interesting study with implications far beyond statistics. The development of statistical inference, to its present position of prominence in the social sciences, epitomizes a number of trends in Western intellectual history of the last three centuries, and the 11th chapter, considering the function of statistical inference in light of our needs for structure, rules, authority, and consensus in general, develops some provocative parallels, especially between epistemology and politics.

This book describes psychological research methods that treat the behavior of living organisms as purposeful rather than mechanical.

This volume is the first comprehensive and single-authored book on the functions of the basal ganglia. The goal is to provide a new synthesis of diverse areas of research on the basal ganglia, from cellular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity to neural circuit mechanisms underlying behavior. A global theory of basal ganglia function incorporating research from the last 40 years is presented. I hope to explain for the first time how the basal ganglia generate behavior, how they contribute to learning and memory, and how impairments in basal ganglia function can lead to neurological and psychiatric disorders. Features The only single-authored book on the basal ganglia with coverage of the latest literature Spans multiple levels of analysis, from cellular physiology to behavior Includes coverage of clinical symptoms, encompassing neuropsychology, movement disorders, and psychiatric disorders Discusses the role of the basal ganglia in learning and memory

Studying behaviour in animals requires numerical measurement. This book provides a scientific framework for what to measure and why.