Problem Solving

[From Fred Nickols (971105.1747 EDT)]

  Bill Powers (971104.0715 MDT)

<snip>

When a person says, "I don't know what to do -- and that's the problem,
isn't it?"

<snip>

Which is why one fellow wrote, "Problem solving is what you do when you
don't know what to do."

Which, in turn, leads me to ask a question: Given that control is defined
on this list as "achieving constant outcomes under varying conditions" (or
something very much like that), what happens when outcomes are not achieved?
Does that signal loss of control? What happens then? Does PCT contain a
provision for problem solving? And please don't tell me to read B:CP. I've
torn my basement apart and can't find it, so I've been making do while I
await a new copy by reading Rick's "Mind Readings." Restated: According to
PCT, how does an autonomous individual cope successfully with a novel situation?

Regards,

Fred Nickols
The Distance Consulting Company
nickols@worldnet.att.net

[From Rick Marken (971105.1830)]

Fred Nickols (971105.1747 EDT)--

According to PCT, how does an autonomous individual cope
successfully with a novel situation?

Via _reorganization_, a meta control process which tries out
new ways for control systems to perceive, act and want until
they perceive, act and want in a way that is successful (keeps
all perceptions under control).

Best

Rick

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Richard S. Marken Phone or Fax: 310 474-0313
Life Learning Associates e-mail: rmarken@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~rmarken/