Perceptual Control as a Unifying Concept in Psychology

Abstract

We show how a control system model of behavior called Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) can provide a unifying framework for research in all traditional areas of psychology-as a basis for building hypotheses, working models, and applications. PCT views behavior, at all levels, as the control of perceptual inputs. This view is virtually the opposite of that of now standard models-exemplified by the General Linear Model-which view behavior as controlled by perceptual inputs. The PCT model calls for a new approach to research that is aimed at discovering the input variables that organisms control, rather than the input variables that control organisms. This new approach, called The Test for the Controlled Variable, can be applied to the study of all aspects of behavior, from motor control to cognitive neuroscience to counseling and clinical psychology.

Predictive Modelling of The Dynamic Patterns of Thinking in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnostic Accuracy of Spatiotemporal Fractal Measures

“…As a consequence the methodological aspect and the experimental expression of EF models were downgraded in their validity and utility (Labra-Spröhnle, 2016b). Contributing to the aggravation of the same situation, another paradoxical condition happened during cognitive revolution and despite its "revolutionary" conceptual shift, the practitioners of the new paradigm kept attached to the same old style and tools of experimental testing, i.e., the "open-loop causal model" of behaviour and mental functioning (Marken, 1988(Marken, , 2009Marken and Mansell, 2013).…”

“…In general, in this alternative paradigm, the variety of human behaviour repertoire and mental functioning are conceptualised as goal-directed and selfcontrolled activities (Piaget, 1974;Powers, 2005). Moreover, the methodological expression of this condition could be accounted in a "close-loop experimental paradigm" (Marken, 2009;Marken and Mansell, 2013) aimed to get "morphological" measures (Labra-Spröhnle, 2015), and without resorting to a faculties 1 or modular framework. Instead, behaviour and mental activities are conceived as integrative dynamic phenomena, organised in "functional systems" (Vygotsky, 1965;Anokhin, 1974;Luria, 1980;Labra-Spröhnle, 2016a and representational (implications) means (Piaget, 2006;Pezzulo, 2008;Piaget et al, 2013), and that methodologically, this parallel activity can be expressed in a relational framework (Piaget, 1963).…”

The Take Control Course: Conceptual Rationale for the Development of a Transdiagnostic Group for Common Mental Health Problems

“…These tasks are an analog of everyday control, such as keeping a comfortable interpersonal distance or moderating the loudness of speech. Evidence supporting the tenet that perception is controlled by behavior, and other tenets of PCT, has been further reviewed elsewhere (Grawe, 2007 ; Pellis and Bell, 2011 ; Marken and Mansell, 2013 ).…”

“…The tenet that perception is controlled by behavior (rather than behavior that is controlled) is a particular emphasis of PCT (Marken and Mansell, 2013 ). Control is an ongoing process of comparing current perception against an internal goal or standard, and acting to minimize discrepancies.…”

Un marco para la enseñanza de la Psicología: El Modelo de Bucle del Comportamiento Adaptativo (ABeL)

“…En el pasado ha habido varios intentos de unificar esas diversas aproximaciones. Algunos han tratado de unificar toda la psicología en su conjunto (Staats, 1991;Sternberg et al 2001;Buss, 2008Marken, & Mansell, 2013, y otros solo una parte de la psicología, como la Psicología Clínica (Estévez Gutiérrez, Ramos Cejudo, y Salguero Noguera, 2015), la Psicología Social (Greenwald, Banaji, Rudman, Farnham, Nosek, & Mellott, 2002), la Psicología Cognitiva (Newell, 1990) o la Psicología del Aprendizaje (Ardila, 2003). Incluso ha habido intentos desde fuera de la Psicología (Powers, 2005;Castellá y Castellá, 2014).…”