<Bob Clark (940731.1500 EDT)>
Bill Leach 940727.18:54 EST) Subject: Re: RKC-MORE ABOUT WORDS
Regarding my definition of "control," [Bob Clark (940726.1516 EDT)
"control," you say:
I see your point but I am not sure that such a definition might help
create a missundertanding that will be difficult to correct later.
The difficulty that I see is that people that come to this forum are
aware that this is a forum for behavioural science and will likely
immediately make an incorrect link between such a definition and
stimulus-response EVEN though that is not what is intended.
You "see" my "point," fine. Unfortunately, I do not understand
yours. Are you suggesting that some readers may draw unintended
conclusions? Do you have alternatives that you prefer? Are you
suggesting that my proposed definition of "control" may be
misunderstood by some people?
After all, people come to this forum for many reasons. Their
backgrounds and levels of understanding are highly diverse. We can
only guess what their perceptions may be. We also cannot predict
which "incorrect" conclusions they may draw. The best we can hope to
do is to define our terms as simply and accurately as possible.
Definitions should be expressed in generally accepted terms with
modifiers included as required.
Regarding definition of "disturbance."
In this case I still disagree. The definition of the term itself
has nothing to do with its magnitude.
You seem to prefer the more general definition, that can include any
magnitude, even to the destruction of the system of interest! If
that were suitable, my restricted definition would be unnecessary.
But, as used in PCT, "disturbance" is invariably restricted to small,
even differentially small, magnitudes.
Reading definitions may be of little use and could possibly hinder
the process as much as help it. Obviously, one has to have some
idea of what the terms mean but I think that it is in the attempt at
application that the real essence of the definitions are "learned."
Both are necessary. That is why courses are taught with a
combination of text books (including examples and problems), lectures
with demonstrations, and laboratory procedures.
Regards, Bob Clark
···
Subject: RKC-MORE ABOUT WORDS and Bob Clark (940724.1358 EDT)
Subject: Re: Re: RKC-TERMINLGY] in which I have defined the word