It's Control, Stupid

[From Bruce Gregory (960611.1015EDT)]

(Rick Marken (960610.1330)

I used to be a conventional psychologist. It took me quite a while to realize
why my colleagues were not jumping with excitement when I told them about
PCT. I finally realized that PCT is about a phenomenon that many of my
buddies didn't know existed: control. So now I try to start off any
discussion of PCT be saying that PCT is a model of CONTROL. I then try
explain what control is. My goal is to help people see that, what needs to be
explained by a behavioral theory, is not why variable X causes behavior Y;
what needs to be explained (and what PCT explains) is 1) what variables are
controlled 2) how are they controlled and 3) why.

I think I'm finally beginning to fit the pieces together and see the
entire picture. Thanks for your perseverance. You have the patience
of a saint. (Why do I suspect that's the first time that accusation has
ever been leveled at you?)

Regards,

Bruce G.

[From Rick Marken (960611.0800)]

Bruce Gregory (960611.1015EDT) --

I think I'm finally beginning to fit the pieces together and see the
entire picture. Thanks for your perseverance. You have the patience
of a saint. (Why do I suspect that's the first time that accusation has
ever been leveled at you?)

People just mistake my patience for fanaticism;-)

Thanks

Rick

Great subject title, by the way.

[From Bruce Gregory (960612.1200 EDT)]

1. Human beings act in order to make what they perceive fit their pictures.

2. The bad news: You can't change someone else's pictures.

3. The good news: You can change your own pictures.

Regards,

Bruce G.