[From Bruce Gregory (9903051830)]
John Appel 990305
Thank you. I believe I now do understand what controlled
variable means.
Also I understand how controlled variable is tested and
proved. I'm less
sure I understand what theory is tested and proved in proving
the variable.
I'll ponder it.
The theory (better conjecture) that is tested is that a control system
is at work maintaining the temperature at a "preferred" value.
I'll have to ponder this suggestion: Psychosis--insanity-- is
equivalent to
losing control of temperature. This suggestion does resonate
a little.
Imagine that the room contains two thermostats. One is connected to a
furnace and is set to maintain 72 degrees. The other is connected to an
air conditioning system and is set to maintain 68 degrees. Can you see
that the result is a tug of war in which the furnace and air conditioner
are always running, trying "futilely" to control the temperature?
But
still this leaves unexplained the nature of the variable. Could it be
sanity? Someone in csg, I forget who, suggested homeostasis.
Control of
homeostasis is well known in medicine, of course. But here the idea of
mental homeostasis might apply. Maybe sanity is the variable.
Or autonomy,
which enables a person to choose whether to submit to, or
oppose control by
some one else.
I suspect the variable being controlled varies from person to person.
One biggie for must of us is the desire to perceive that we are loved. A
chronic failure to match this perception is analogous to a thermostat in
a room with all the windows open. The furnace is always running, but the
room never gets warm enough to match the thermostats reference level.
And the idea--anticipation of consequences of
action--would
have to fit in somewhere.
The thermostat, unlike a living system, cannot anticipate the
consequences of its actions. Its actions can be futile, but not
frustrating.
And further, how explain treatment
and recovery?
Treatment and recovery probably involve a restoration of the ability to
exercise control. Either by achieving the original goal (perhaps
parental approval) or setting a new one (find approval elsewhere).
Closing the windows allows the thermostat to again successfully control
the temperature in the room.
I can do so with bct, but not using the thermostat model.
Perhaps you can
tell me. Also I don't yet see how cause and effect can be
avoided. Perhaps
the element of the thermostat that responds to the lower
temperature by
turning on the furnace "causes" the heat to increase.
Cause and effect are circular in this case. The furnaces causes the room
to become warmer which in turn causes the furnace to turn off.
Bruce Gregory