[From Fred Nickols (2013.12.24.0846 EST)]
I got involved in a discussion on the Systems Thinking list on LinkedIn. They’re out to save the world and I asserted that when they reached the point of action PCT might come into play. I thought CSG list members might find the following exchanges interesting. Here’s the thread:
begin thread
At the root of this discussion lies human behavior. Ultimately, through whatever means and using whatever models, action is required. People are “living control systems.” They act to align what they see with what they want to see. Technically speaking, they act to control their perceptions. Missing from the theories and models mentioned thus far is William T Powers’ Perceptual Control Theory (PCT). PCT is a closed-loop, negative feedback governed view of human behavior. It or something like it will prove essential to effective action. It is a truly systems view of human behavior.
Research Scientist at Heather’s house foundation
Actually PCT is a rather reductionist view of human perceptual limits. Its the psychological parallel to how we use a digital perspective to clean up what is messy electronically, losing the nuance of the analog universe. My point is, it is a functional tool for psychotherapy, but much more then that, it is like all theories in the soft science of psychology, it is a best fit, a digital view of the human mind, looking to surface causes and affects, to grope in the darkness of our need to deal imperfectly to the problems that face us.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not deigning its usefulness, just not the validation of it as a systems thinking tool, or any tool where we are looking at patterns of human consciousness.
Just some thoughts…have a nice holiday…
“Assistance at a Distance”
Actually, PCT is an analog not a digital view. Have a nice holiday.
Research Scientist at Heather’s house foundation
I suppose I would have to disagree, as I was using digital more as a metaphor for the array like ways we like to conform our data into easy, usable bits to study. By definition analog is the infinite nature of that gestalt of reality we choose to study or use in our technology. Digital is by definition, that process of cleaning the world up, in a Newtonian process, that brings those bits of reality we wish to study or use, into focus.
If you see PCT as a systems view, I can understand why you think of it as analog, I just disagree that PCT is a systems view in any way.
Just a point I suppose to agree to disagree on…hope your holiday goes well also…
“Assistance at a Distance”
Hmm. It seems we have very different understandings of PCT and analog vs digital. Analog is continuous and digital is discrete. Human behavior is very much a continuous, dynamic phenomenon; it is analog, not digital. However, this list is not the place for us to clarify PCT or analog or digital so I will go along with your notion that we agree to disagree.
Have a nice (analog) holiday
end of thread
Regards,
Fred Nickols, CPT
Managing Partner