INTROCSG.NET updated

Dag_Forssell · December 22, 1994, 8:17am

[From Dag Forssell (941222)

Here is an update of INTROCSG.NET. In this update, mention of
Closed Loop is removed, CSG dues are lowered, and New View is shown
as publisher of what was CSG books.

I am posting this once, expecting Gary to pick it up as an
introduction for new subscribers. I do not plan to post it monthly
any more. I think it would be nice to have a new volunteer give
this introduction a new shape. I am afraid that if I undertake it
now, it will be too much a rehash of my thoughts. Surely there is
a lurker out there who has some definite opinions on how to do this
better. I will be happy to support Paul George or whoever wants to
do it. This is a good time to do it, with WWW coming up.

Best to all, Dag

···

--------------------------------------------------------

INTRODUCTION TO THE CONTROL SYSTEMS GROUP (CSG)
AND THE CONTROL SYSTEMS GROUP NETWORK (CSGnet)

Prepared by Dag Forssell with Gary Cziko
Updated 1994.12.22

This introduction provides information about:

     Our Subject: Perceptual Control Theory
     The Evolution of the Control Paradigm
     Demonstrating the Phenomenon of Control
     The Purpose of CSGnet
     CSGnet Participants
     Asking Questions
     The Control Systems Group
     Accessing and Subscribing to CSGnet
     How to Obtain Text and Program Files
     References
     Order Forms

OUR SUBJECT: PERCEPTUAL CONTROL THEORY

Here are introductions by Bill and Mary Powers:

* * * * * * * *

  There have been two paradigms in the behavioral sciences since
  the 1600's. One was the idea that events impinging on organisms
  make them behave as they do. The other, which was developed in
  the 1930's, is PERCEPTUAL CONTROL THEORY (PCT). Perceptual
  Control Theory explains how organisms control what happens to
  them. This means all organisms from the amoeba to humankind. It
  explains why one organism can't control another without physical
  violence. It explains why people deprived of any major part of
  their ability to control soon become dysfunctional, lose
  interest in life, pine away and die. It explains what a goal is,
  how goals relate to action, how action affects perceptions and
  how perceptions define the reality in which we live and move and
  have our being. Perceptual Control Theory is the first
  scientific theory that can handle all these phenomena within a
  single, testable concept of how living systems work.

William T. Powers, November 3, 1991

                         * * * * * * * *
  While the existence of control mechanisms and processes (such as
  feedback) in living systems is generally recognized, the
  implications of control organization go far beyond what is
  generally accepted. We believe that a fundamental characteristic
  of organisms is their ability to control; that they are, in
  fact, living control systems. To distinguish this approach from
  others using some version of control theory but forcing it to
  fit conventional approaches, we call ours Perceptual Control
  Theory, or PCT.

  PCT requires a major shift in thinking from the traditional
  approach: that what is controlled is not behavior, but
  perception. Modelling behavior as a dependent variable, as a
  response to stimuli, provides no explanation for the phenomenon
  of achieving consistent ends through varying means, and requires
  an extensive use of statistics to achieve modest (to the point
  of meaningless) correlations. Attempts to model behavior as
  planned and computed output can be demonstrated to require
  levels of precise calculation that are unobtainable in a
  physical system, and impossible in a real environment that is
  changing from one moment to the next. The PCT model views
  behavior as the means by which a perceived state of affairs is
  brought to and maintained at a reference state. This approach
  provides a physically plausible explanation for the consistency
  of outcomes and the variability of means.

  The PCT model has been used to simulate phenomena as diverse as
  bacterial chemotaxis, tracking a target, and behavior in crowds.
  In its elaborated form, a hierarchy of perceptual control
  systems (HPCT), it has lent itself to a computer simulation of
  tracking, including learning to track, and to new approaches to
  education, management, and psychotherapy.

  Control systems are not new in the life sciences. However,
  numerous misapprehensions exist, passed down from what was
  learned about control theory by non-engineers 40 or 50 years ago
  without further reference to newer developments or correction of
  initial misunderstandings. References in the literature to the
  desirability of positive feedback and the assertion that systems
  with feedback are slower than S-R systems are simply false, and
  concerns about stability are unfounded.

  The primary barrier to the adoption of PCT concepts is the
  belief--or hope--that control theory can simply be absorbed into
  the mainstream life sciences without disturbing the status quo.
  It is very hard to believe that one's training and life work,
  and that of one's mentors, and their mentors, must be
  fundamentally revised. Therefore, PCT appeals to those who feel
  some dissatisfaction with the status quo, or who are attracted
  to the idea of a generative model with broad application
  throughout the life sciences (plus AI and robotics). There are
  very few people working in PCT research. Much of its promise is
  still simply promise, and it meets resistance from all sides. It
  is frustrating but also tremendously exciting to be a part of
  the group who believe that they are participating in the birth
  of a true science of life.
                                Mary Powers, November 1992

* * * * * * * *

THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONTROL PARADIGM

The PCT paradigm originates in 1927, when an engineer named Harold
Black completed the technical analysis of closed loop control
systems. He was working with the negative feedback amplifier,
which is a control device. This led to a new engineering
discipline and the development of many purposeful machines.
Purposeful machines have built-in intent to achieve consistent
ends by variable means under changing conditions.

The explanation for the phenomenon of control is the first
alternative to the linear cause-effect perspective ever proposed
in any science.

The first discussion of purposeful machines and people came in
1943 in a paper called: Behavior, Purpose and Teleology by
Rosenblueth, Wiener and Bigelow. This paper also argued that
purpose belongs in science as a real phenomenon in the present.
Purpose does not mean that somehow the future influences the
present.

The first specific suggestion on how to use the concept of control
to understand people came in 1957 in a paper entitled: A General
Feedback Theory of Human Behavior by McFarland, Powers and Clark.

In 1973 William T. (Bill) Powers published a seminal book called
"Behavior: the Control of Perception," which still is the major
reference for PCT. See literature below.

This book spells out a complete model of how the human brain and
nervous system works like a living perceptual control system. Our
brain can be viewed as a system that controls its own perceptions.
This view suggests explanations for many previously mysterious
aspects of how people interact with their world.

Perceptual Control Theory has been accepted by independently
thinking psychologists, scientists and other interested people.
The result is that an association has been formed (the Control
System Group), several books published, this CSGnet set up and
that at latest count 16 professors are teaching PCT in American
universities today.

DEMONSTRATING THE PHENOMENON OF CONTROL

The phenomenon of control is largely unrecognized in science
today. It is not well understood in important aspects even by many
control engineers. Yet the phenomenon of control, when it is
recognized and understood, provides a powerful enhancement to
scientific perspectives.

It is essential to recognize that this phenomenon exists and
deserves an explanation before any of the discourse on CSGnet will
make sense.

Please download the introductory demonstration (demo1). See "How to
obtain text and program files" below for obtaining files via FTP,
Gopher, and e-mail.

THE PURPOSE OF CSGnet

CSGnet provides a forum for development, use and testing of PCT.

CSGnet PARTICIPANTS

Many interests and backgrounds are represented here. Psychology,
Sociology, Linguistics, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Social
Work, Neurology, Modeling and Testing. All are represented and
discussed. As of June 1994 there were about 130 individuals from
17 countries subscribed to CSGnet.

ASKING QUESTIONS

Please introduce yourself with a statement of your professional
interests and background. It will help someone answer if you spell
out which demonstrations, introductory papers and references you
have taken the time to digest.

THE CONTROL SYSTEMS GROUP

The CSG is an organization of people in the behavioral, social,
and life sciences who see the potential in PCT for increased
understanding in their own fields and for the unification of
diverse and fragmented specialties.

Annual dues are $20 for full members and $5 for students.

The eleventh North American annual meeting of the CSG will held in
Durango, Colorado, on the campus of Fort Lewis College). It will be
held 27-31 July 1995. There will be 7 plenary meetings (mornings
and evenings), with afternoons, mealtimes, and late night free for
further discussion or recreation. Full details will be available on
CSGnet or by mail after April 1, 1995. The second meeting of the
European Control Systems Group (ECSG) will be held in 1996. Details
to be arranged and posted on this net.

For membership information write:
CSG, c/o Mary Powers, 73 Ridge Place CR 510, Durango, CO
81301-8136 or send e-mail to <POWERS_W%FLC@VAXF.COLORADO.EDU>.

ACCESSING AND SUBSCRIBING TO CSGnet

CSGnet can also be accessed via Usenet where it is listed as the
newsgroup "bit.listserv.csg-l."

To subscribe to the listserv version of CSGnet, and learn about
options & commands, subscribers and archives, send a message to

Internet:

LISTSERV@VMD.CSO.UIUC.EDU

Message: (Comments: Not part of your message)

Subscribe CSG-L Firstname Lastname Institution (Your OWN name)
help (Basic introduction to commands)
info refcard (Comprehensive reference of commands)
set CSG-L digest (All CSG-L mail delivered once a day)
set CSG-L repro (Get copy of your own postings)
query CSG-L (Your mail status & options)
review CSG-L countries (Subsribers & addresses, by country)
index CSG-L (List of archive files available to you)
get CSG-L 9412C (Get archive for 3rd week of Dec 1994
--shown here as an example only)

The Bitnet address for the list server is LISTSERV@UIUCVMD. This
server is not case sensitive.

To remove yourself from the subscribe to the listserv version of
CSGnet, send a message as follows to <LISTSERV@VMD.CSO.UIUC.EDU>:

Unsub CSG-L

For the "unsub" command to work, the command must be sent with the
same return address used for the original "subscribe" command.

Messages to the entire CSGnet community should be addressed to
<CSG-L@VMD.CSO.UIUC.EDU> (Internet) or <CSG-L@UIUCVMD> (Bitnet).

For more information about accessing CSGnet, contact Gary Cziko,
the network manager, at <G-CZIKO@UIUC.EDU>.

HOW TO OBTAIN TEXT AND PROGRAM FILES

A number of ASCII documents and MS-DOS and Macintosh computer
programs are available on a fileserver maintained by Bill Silvert.
These files can be obtained via anonymous FTP, Gopher, World Wide
Web, and e-mail.

ANONYMOUS FTP

For anonymous FTP access, connect to biome.bio.ns.ca, logon as
anonymous, giving your e-mail address as your password. The CSG
files can be found in the directory pub/csg.

Two programs of particular interest for MS-DOS machines can be
found in the directory pub/csg/pctdemos/filename. The file names
are demo1.zip and demo2.zip. They contain Bill Powers's tutorial
demonstrations of the phenomenon of control and the perceptual
control theory model of behavior. A detailed PCT bibliography
compiled by Greg Williams can be found in the directory
pub/csg/documents as biblio.pct.

GOPHER AND WORLD WIDE WEB

For Gopher access, point your Gopher at biome.bio.ns.ca. This can
usually done by following the following path (although the first
four steps below may differ depending on how you access Gopher):

-> Other Gopher and Information Servers
-> North America
-> Canada
-> Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Canada)
-> Organizations
-> Control Systems Group

The exact link is:

Type=1
Name=Control Systems Group
Path=1/FTP/pub/csg
Host=biome.bio.ns.ca
Port=70
URL: gopher://biome.bio.ns.ca:70/11/FTP/pub/csg

which can also be used with World Wide Web.

E-MAIL

Document files and uuencoded versions of program files can also
be obtained via e-mail. Here are some basic commands for obtaining
files and information:

To:

SERVER@BIOME.BIO.NS.CA

Message:

help
get pub/csg/00index
get pub/csg/pctdemos/00index
uue pub/csg/pctdemos/demo1.zip

"help" requests commands and explanations
"get pub/csg/00index" requests index for the csg subdirectory.
"uue pub/csg/pctdemos/demo1.zip" requests the file demo1.zip in
uuencoded form. You will need uud.exe to uudecode it.

Pay attention to letter case for commands! On this server, DOS is
not dos. The pub/csg/00index you receive in response will show
additional directories and enable you to send messages to find out
what is available in your area of interest.

REFERENCES

Here are some selected books, papers and computer programs on
Perceptual Control Theory. For a very complete list of CSG-related
publications, get the file biblio.pct from the fileserver as
described above. See order forms at the end.
* * * * * * * *

Bourbon, WT, KE Copeland, VR Dyer, WK Harman & BL Mosely (1990).
  On the accuracy and reliability of predictions by control-system
  theory. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 71, 1331-1338. The first
  of a 20-year series demonstrating the long-term reliability and
  stability of predictions generated by the PCT model.

Bourbon, W. Tom (In Press). Perceptual Control Theory. In:
  HL Roitblat & J-A Meyer (eds.). Comparative approaches to
  cognitive science. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Chapter surveys
  applications of PCT modeling by Bill Powers and Greg Williams
  (pointing, from the ARM/LITTLE MAN program); by Rick Marken and
  Bill Powers (movement "up a gradient" by E. coli), by Bill
  Powers, Clark Mcphail and Chuck Tucker (social movement and
  static formations, from the GATHERINGS program), and by Bourbon
  (tracking). The PCT model is contrasted with some of the
  mainstream models and theories presented at the workshop.

Cziko, Gary A. (1992). Purposeful behavior as the control of
  perception: Implications for educational research. EDUCATIONAL
  RESEARCHER, 21(9), 10-18, 27. Introduction to PCT and
  implications for educational research.

Cziko, Gary A. (1992). Perceptual control theory: One threat to
  educational research not (yet?) faced by Amundson, Serlin, and
  Lehrer. EDUCATIONAL RESEARCHER, 21(9), 25-27. Response to
  critics of previous article.

Ford, Edward E. (1989). FREEDOM FROM STRESS. Scottsdale AZ: Brandt
Publishing. A self-help book. PCT in a counseling framework.

Ford, Edward E. (1987). LOVE GUARANTEED; A BETTER MARRIAGE IN 8
WEEKS. Scottsdale AZ: Brandt Publishing.

Ford, Edward E. (1994). DISCIPLINE FOR HOME AND SCHOOL. Scottsdale
AZ: Brandt Publishing. Teaches school personnel and parents how
to deal effectively with children.

Forssell, Dag C., (1993). Perceptual Control: A New Management
Insight." In ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, 5(4), 17-25.

Forssell, Dag C. (Ed.), (1994). PERCEPTUAL CONTROL THEORY: DOS
  COMPUTER DEMONSTRATION, TUTORIALS, SIMULATIONS, EXPLANATIONS.
  1.44 MB 3 1/2" disk (1 ea) or 1.2 MB 5 1/4" disk (2 ea). May be
  freely copied. $10 U.S. by air worldwide. Write:
  Purposeful Leadership, 23903 Via Flamenco, Valencia, CA, USA.
  Also available via anonymous FTP at biome.bio.ns.ca:
  /msm/ftp/pub/csg/pctdemos/

Forssell, Dag C., (1994). MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP: INSIGHT FOR
  CONSISTENT PRACTICE. Objective: Committment to common goals, high
  performance, consistent results and mutual satisfaction. A
  collection of articles and working papers introducing and
  applying PCT in the context of business and industry.

Gibbons, Hugh. (1990). THE DEATH OF JEFFREY STAPLETON: EXPLORING
THE WAY LAWYERS THINK. Concord, NH: Franklin Pierce Law Center.
A text for law students using control theory.

Hershberger, Wayne. (Ed.). (1989). VOLITIONAL ACTION: CONATION AND
CONTROL (Advances in Psychology No. 62). NY: North-Holland.
16 of 25 articles on or about PCT.

Marken, Richard S. (Ed.). (1990). Purposeful Behavior: The control
theory approach. AMERICAN BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST, 34(1). (Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage Publications) 11 articles on control theory.

Marken, Richard S. (1992). MIND READINGS: EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF
PURPOSE. NC: New View. Research papers exploring control.

McClelland, Kent. (In press). Perceptual Control and Social Power.
SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES.

McPhail, Clark. (1990). THE MYTH OF THE MADDING CROWD. New York:
Aldine de Gruyter. Introduces control theory to explain group
behavior.

McPhail, Clark., Powers, William T., & Tucker, Charles W. (1992).
  Simulating individual and collective action In temporary
  gatherings. SOCIAL SCIENCE COMPUTER REVIEW, 10(1), 1-28.
  Computer simulation of control systems in groups.

Petrie, Hugh G. (1981). THE DILEMMA OF INQUIRY AND LEARNING.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Powers, William T. (1973). BEHAVIOR: THE CONTROL OF PERCEPTION.
Hawthorne, NY: Aldine DeGruyter. The basic text.

Powers, William T. (1989). LIVING CONTROL SYSTEMS: SELECTED
PAPERS. NC: New View. Previously published papers, 1960-1988.

Powers, William T. (1992). LIVING CONTROL SYSTEMS II: SELECTED
PAPERS. NC: New View. Previously unpublished papers, 1959-1990

Richardson, George P. (1991). FEEDBACK THOUGHT IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
AND SYSTEMS THEORY. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania
Press. A review of systems thinking, including PCT.

Robertson, Richard J. and Powers, William T. (Eds.). (1990).
INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PSYCHOLOGY: THE CONTROL THEORY VIEW.
NC: New View. College-level text.

Runkel, Philip J. (1990). CASTING NETS AND TESTING SPECIMENS. New
York: Praeger. When statistics are appropriate; when models are
required.

* * * * * * * *

-----------------------------------------------------------------
   A free 20 page PCT Resource Guide with brief introductions and
   more detail on the references listed above and a few more --
   publishers, books, articles, videos, seminars, and the DOS
   demonstration disk -- may be obtained by sending a note with

1) a self addressed, stamped (52 cents) envelope, or

2) two "international reply" coupons - every post office in
the world sells them.

3) a personal note and request without either of the above

   to: Dag Forssell, PCT Introduction and Resource Guide
           23903 Via Flamenco
           Valencia, California, 91355-2808 USA.

The order forms below are reproduced from this Guide.
All prices current as of December, 1994.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
New View: Fred Good Telephone: (919) 942-8491
P.O. Box 3021 Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3021 USA Fax: (919) 942-3760

___ ea INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PSYCHOLOGY @ $25.00 _______
___ ea LIVING CONTROL SYSTEMS @ $16.50 _______
___ ea LIVING CONTROL SYSTEMS II @ $22.00 _______
___ ea MIND READINGS @ $18.00 _______
       North Carolina residents add sales tax, 6%. Tax _______
       Shipping & Handling (ask for schedule) per order _______
       Prepaid: Check, money order Total _______

NAME ______________________________Phone(______)_______-__________

ADDRESS
__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

------------------------------------------------------------------
Purposeful Leadership: Dag Forssell Telephone: (805) 254-1195
23903 Via Flamenco, Valencia, CA 91355-2808 USA Fax:(805) 254-7956

___ ea Management and Leadership: Insight for ... @ $20.00 ______
___ ea PCTdemos. DOS program disk __ 31/2" __51/4" @ $10.00 ______
___ ea Rubber Band Demo. Video & Script 63 minutes @ $20.00 ______
___ ea PCT supports TQM. Video 117 minutes @ $20.00 ______
___ ea 1994 CSG conference. 3 videos, 16 hours. @ $30.00 ______
___ ea Freedom From Stress. Book by Ed Ford @ $10.00 ______
       California residents please add sales tax, 8.25%.Tax ______
       Shipping & Handling (world wide) per order _5.00_
       Prepaid: Check, money order Total ______

NAME _____________________________ Phone__________________________