What is an example of an intrinsic reference signal in PCT? Suppose it’s some genetic thing. What makes you and me different is therefore two things: we have different genetics and we have different opinions. In PCT, opinions seem to be a reference value at some level and intrinsic reference signals are always above this level. Somehow, therefore our opinions are determined by genetics.
Hi Philip, I don’t see it this way. The intrinsic signals govern the reorganisation system which provides the set points for what kind of perceptual experiences (most often rekeying to our social and caregiving environment) reduce intrinsic error. They don’t literally sit above the perceptual hierarchy but are orthogonal to it. The degree to which you can track population variance in genetics or in environment is largely dependent on the variance in environment because genetic differences propagate at a much slower rate (evolution) than environmental change (e.g. loss of a parent, a natural disaster).
So, our opinions will be largely related to our experiences, but more specifically how our early social experiences relate to our own survival. Generic differences in opinions make sense to explore only when comparing individuals in similarly, largely socially supportive and non-traumatic, environments… wherever they are!
This does raise the question of how and at what age perceptual control starts to supersede intrinsic control, and we put our social values above our own immediate pain and suffering…
RSVP,
Warren
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[From: Richard Pfau (2018.7.5 10:20 am EDT)]
Ref: PJY (3 July): What is an example of an intrinsic reference signal in PCT?
Aren’t intrinsic reference signals those neural signals initiated by chemical/physical properties of the body (physiological states) such as oxygen level in the blood and body temperature – i.e., properties of the body that are essential to its survival?
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On Tue, Jul 3, 2018 at 3:32 PM, PHILIP JERAIR YERANOSIAN csgnet@lists.illinois.edu wrote:
What is an example of an intrinsic reference signal in PCT? Suppose it’s some genetic thing. What makes you and me different is therefore two things: we have different genetics and we have different opinions. In PCT, opinions seem to be a reference value at some level and intrinsic reference signals are always above this level. Somehow, therefore our opinions are determined by genetics.