The Interdisciplinary Handbook Of Perceptual Control Theory

Interdisciplinary Handbook of Perceptual Control Theory Volume II: Living in the Loop 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

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

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.

Powers presents a broad-based sampling of the literature on Perceptual Control Theory, its scientific nature, and some applications that explain what behavior is, how it works, and what it accomplishes.

This July 2014 updated and expanded edition of the Book of Readings is designed to be a broad-based sampling of the literature on Perceptual Control Theory, PCT, its scientific nature and some applications. Perceptual Control Theory, PCT, results from one man's curiosity, expertise, creativity and determination. The articles and books sampled 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 fifty 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.

Health Psychology: Revisiting the Classic Studies reflects and expands upon 13 of the most innovative contributions to the field from researchers such as Friedman and Rosenman, Marmot, Kiecolt-Glaser, and Ajzen. This book will familiarise you with the classic studies, spanning a period from the 1950s to 2010s, and show you how they continue to apply to the world today. Revisiting the Classic Studies is a series of texts that introduces readers to the studies in psychology that changed the way we think about core topics in the discipline today. It provokes students to ask more interesting and challenging questions about the field by encouraging a deeper level of engagement both with the details of the studies themselves and with the nature of their contribution. Edited by leading scholars in their field and written by researchers at the cutting edge of these developments, the chapters in each text provide details of the original works and their theoretical and empirical impact, and then discuss the ways in which thinking and research have advanced in the years since the studies were conducted. Mark Tarrant is Professor at the University of Plymouth Martin S. Hagger is Professor at the University of California, Merced and Finland Distinguished Professor (FiDiPro) at University of Jyväskylä.

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.