Controlled Variables (WAS Carver ...)

FROM:
Dennis J. Delprato (981014)
Department of Psychology
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (U.S.A.)
734.487.1287
psy_delprato@online.emich.edu

[From Rick Marken (981014.0720)]

I would really appreciate an answer to the questions below
from Bruce Abbott (though answers from anyone else who is
knowledgable on this subject would also be welcome) because
I'm writing a paper on controlled variables and it would be
nice to get answers to these questions from a recognized expert
in both control theory and behavioral research (like Bruce A.).

1. Do you agree that controlled variables (PCT sense) are real
phenomena?

I claim NO expertise in either realm, but, first, if by 'real,'
you mean as opposed to 'unreal' (i.e., inexistent), I opt for
the former. If by 'real' you mean CVs will be found someday
when a skull is opened, I am not optimistic. With CVs, you
have a quantitatively-derived construct that fits into a
descriptive/explanatory framework that meets certain criteria
for scientific work. Why get into the snares of realistic
philosophy?

2. If so, then what are these variables called in conventional
psychology? In particular, what are these variables called in
textbooks on behavioral research (such as yours)?

Mainstream psychologists struggle with events and relations that
might be better handled by CVs with such constructs as needs,
reinforcers, goals, ideals, internal templates, set points,
and perceptual reinforcers, among others.

This seems like a trick question ( I haven't been reading the
messages that preceded this), but it seemed like a good
opportunity to recognize the view of a famous psychologist at
UCLA who may have inspired at least one student to follow up
on his (Lovaas's) behavioral views to where they advanced to
PCT:

"We earlier said that _matching_ one person's behavior against
some other person's behavior must have become reinforcing....
In the case of Van Gogh, however, the matching did not occur against
some external referent, because that external referent was not available.
... Van Gogh must have matched against some internal 'template.'"
(Lovaas, O. I., 1981, Teaching Developmentally Disabled Children:
The Me Book. Austin, TX: Pro_Ed, p. 212)

ยทยทยท

On Wed, 14 Oct 1998, Richard Marken wrote: