[From Bill Powers (9603.26.1400 MST)]
RE: predictability
It seems to me that there is, uniquely to control situations, a
distinction that has to be made here: the bandwidth of unpredictability.
If I am controlling the relationship between a cursor and a target, and
if the position of either cursor or target is "unpredictable," it makes
a difference whether the unpredictability is inside or outside the
bandwidth of good control. If inside, the unpredictability isn't
distinguishable from an ordinary disturbance, and it will be handled
without any need for special properties of the control system. If it's
outside, then control deteriorates and elaborate measures have to be
taken to salvage some degree of control.
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Best,
Bill P.
(Bill Powers--9603.26.1400 MST)
RE: predictability
It seems to me that there is, uniquely to control situations, a
distinction that has to be made here: the bandwidth of unpredictability.
If I am controlling the relationship between a cursor and a target, and
if the position of either cursor or target is "unpredictable," it makes
a difference whether the unpredictability is inside or outside the
bandwidth of good control. If inside, the unpredictability isn't
distinguishable from an ordinary disturbance, and it will be handled
without any need for special properties of the control system. If it's
outside, then control deteriorates and elaborate measures have to be
taken to salvage some degree of control.
That is why timing is so important in classical conditioning!
Regards, Wayne
Wayne A. Hershberger Email: wah@niu.edu
Department of Psychology Fax: (815) 753-8088
Northern Illinois University Phone: (815) 753-7097
DeKalb, IL 60115