<[Bill Leach 950704.04:55 U.S. Eastern Time Zone]
[From Bill Powers (950703.0400 MDT)]
deprivation (noun) large error signal
;deprivation as a term seems to me to imply that a disturbance is applied
;that results in a large, sustained error signal
deprivation (verb) overwhelming disturbance (loss of control)
;again, sufficient force is applied to insure that the reference value
;can not be satisfied by any amount or type of behaviour
maintenance of behaviour control or attempt at control
;unfortunately this is a tough one for PCT. There are really two quite
;different situations. The first is where the reference itself calls for
;continous "activity" to remain satisfied but such activity results in
;essentially zero error. The second is the situation where the "activity"
;is the control systems attempt to achieve control.
;this is also one of those difficult "what do you mean by behaviour?"
;issues. When control exists, PCT considers the organism's actions as
;incidental (that is the natural result due to the physical laws related
;to whatever is being controlled. What the organism "is maintaining
;against disturbance" is what is significant.
;from a modeling standpoint, the actions are significant in that the
;model must be able to use the same means of control in the same manner
;as an observed experimental subject.
competing reinforcers parallel control of multiple perceptions
;I think that the specific use of the term perception is more appropriate
;here.
interference of behaviours conflict
;a very serious problem with this equate is that what appears to the
;observer to be "interference of behaviours" may not represent a conflict
;to the organism at all.
-bill