[From Rick Marken (921016.0900)]
Sorry about dumping the big "Behavior of perception" paper onto the
net. I thought I was replying personally to Isaac, who asked for a
copy. Boy was I surprised when I got an message back from the listserver
acknowledging a post. Sorry folks (except those of you who who will enjoy
reading it).
But since I sent it anyway, here is the end part, which was cut off
during a kermit transmission of the file. It's not too long.
···
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Conclusion
This report has presented evidence that human behavior involves
control of a hierarchy of perceptual variables. There is evidence that the
behavior of non-human agents, such as chimpanzees, also involves the
control of a similar hierarchy of perceptions (Plooij and van de Rijt-Plooij,
1990). A model of hierarchical control shows how studies of perception and
behavior provide evidence about the nature of control from two different
perspectives. Perceptual studies provide information about the ability to
perceive potentially controllable consequences of actions. Behavioral studies
provide information about the ability to produce desired consequences. The
factors that influence the ability to perceive the consequences of action
should also influence the ability to produce them. In both cases we learn
something about how agents control their own perceptions.
The hierarchical control model shows that limitations on the
ability to produce behavior may reflect limitations on the ability to perceive
intended results. The speed at which a person can produce an errorless
sequence of events, for example, is limited by the speed at which the order
of these events can be perceived. But not all skill limitations are perceptual
limitations. Controlled (perceived) results are produced, in part, by the
outputs of the behaving agent. The ability to produce certain outputs can
limit the ability to control certain perceptions. For example, it is imposs-
ible to perceive oneself lifting a 300 pound barbell until the muscles have
been developed to the point that they are able to generate the output forces
necessary to control this perception.
Perception and behavior are typically treated as two completely
different types of phenomena. Perception is a sensory phenomenon:
behavior is a physical phenomenon. But the concept of control as the
behavior of perception suggests that this separation is artificial. Perception
and behavior are the same phenomenon seen from two different
perspectives. In order to understand how this phenomenon works, it will
be necessary to understand how agents perceive (perception) and how they
act to affect their perceptions (behavior). Studies of perception and behavior
should become an integral part of the study of a single phenomenonQ
control.
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Footnote
1. A HyperCard version of the number rate adjustment program is available
from the author. The program will be sent upon receipt of a formatted 31/2-
in. double density or high density disk in a reusable mailer with return
postage.
Figure Captions
Figure 1. Perceptual Control Hierarchy (after Powers, 1989, p 278)
Figure 2. Lower level runaway response to mouse-cursor polarity reversal.
Figure 3. Schematic representation of the results of the number rate
adjustment study.
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Figure 3