This work by Runkel introduces Perceptual Control Theory, PCT, which is a new conception of how all living organisms function. Runkel links PCT thinking to the psychological literature and discusses it against the background of that literature. FROM THE FOREWORD: Though this book is not academic in the usual sense of repeating what most academic psychologists have believed during the past several decades, I do claim it to be scientific in the sense that a good many of the claims I make about human functioning can be put to experimental test–can be tried out in tangible, physically demonstrable ways that can be reproduced or extended by anyone who takes the trouble. The theory I offer here is Perceptual Control Theory, or PCT for short. Its core postulates have indeed been tested, the results of the tests have been published in the scientific literature, and the core assumptions are being extended in the designs of further experimental tests. Furthermore, the experimental tests have been far more demanding than the experimentation in the mainstream psychology books, as you will see. I am not saying that everything I say here has been tested empirically, but I do make that claim about the fundamental postulates and about a good many derivations from them. I will disagree in serious ways with most of the widely accepted psychological theories you encounter in popular literature, in textbooks (of whatever discipline), and in the halls of academe. I will agree with the other theories at some points, but the underlying assumptions of the theory here (Perceptual Control Theory) are not those you will find either printed or implied on many of the pages printed about psychology. In that sense, this book is disputatious. I do not, by the way, claim that those other authors and lecturers are immoral or mentally deficient. I claim only that they are wrong. Numerous introductions, explanations and articles in PDF format, tutorials and simulation programs for Windows computer, and links to related resources are available at the publisher's website, www.livingcontrolsystems.com.

People as Living Things; The Psychology of Perceptual Control

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Runkel, Philip Julian

Psychology & Counseling

Living Control Systems Publishing

This actual correspondence between two lucid gentlemen introduces the first ever comprehensive, technically sound, demonstrable explanation for behavior: What it is, how it works, what it accomplishes. Simply put: Living organisms―people included―are control systems, and act to experience what they want to experience. You know that is what you do, and that is what control systems do. Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) explains how living things work. PCT lays a foundation for psychology to become a science based on clear principles no less reliable than principles employed in the physical and engineering sciences. Once you understand PCT, you interpret your experiences in light of the new explanation and your outlook changes. Among other things, you will understand the nature of conflict, and how best to resolve it. Articles, tutorials, and simulation programs are available at the publisher’s website, www.livingcontrolsystems.com. ABOUT THE AUTHORS WILLIAM T. POWERS has been developing PCT for over 50 years and has published numerous articles and books from 1957 through 2009. PHILIP J. RUNKEL was Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Education at the University of Oregon. FROM COMMENTS ON THIS VOLUME "Bill Powers is one of the clearest and most original thinkers in the history of psychology. For decades he has explored with persistence and ingenuity the profound implications of the simple idea that biological organisms are control systems. His background in engineering allowed him to avoid many of the traps that have victimized even the best psychologists of the past. I believe his contributions will stand the test of time." Henry Yin, Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience Duke University, NC "Bill Powers’ work in the 20th century will prove to be as important for the life sciences as Charles Darwin’s work in the 19th century. By the time this notion has become common knowledge, historians of science will be very happy with this correspondence between two giants." Frans X. Plooij, Director, International Research-institute on Infant Studies, The Netherlands "…The result [of applying PCT] was a level of plant performance that had never been attained before. The plant won numerous accolades for on time delivery, line linearity, and quality. Also, teamwork between departments, which in the past had been less than ideal, improved significantly." Jim Soldani, Former Director of Systems Manufacturing, Intel "… It is often difficult for therapists to grasp the notion that there can be a precise, empirical and quantitative model of purposive, humanistic psychology―but here it is." Warren Mansell, Senior Lecturer, University of Manchester, UK "…These characteristics of PCT―its scope, its rejection of IV–DV hand-waving and ‘models’ that don’t work, its demand for hard-science specificity and for correlations near 100%―can make it a hard sell. Those who wish to curry favor among today’s makers and breakers of reputation might well steer clear. The essay Three "Dangerous" Words in Part II will tell you why. But those who want to do something of lasting value should pay close attention. Our colleague Phil Runkel has gone this way before us under the guidance of our mentor Bill Powers, and their 22 years of wise, articulate, witty correspondence lays out bright lights and signposts for our benefit." Bruce Nevin, Program Manager & Information Architect, Cisco Systems Inc.

Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Approaches to a Science of Life

Powers, William T.

Runkel, Philip J.

The dilemma named in Hugh G. Petrie's title was stated by Meno in Plato's dialogue of that name: "A man cannot enquire about that which he knows or about that which he does not know; for if he knows, he has no need to enquire; and if not, he cannot; for he does not know the very subject about which he is to enquire." Petrie argues that Meno's dilemma poses the fundamental epistemological question for education, "How is learning possible?" He examines a variety of familiar approaches to learning, from the open classroom to back-to-basics, and finds that each of these approaches attempts to grasp one horn of the dilemma to the exclusion of the other. The examination of previous attempts to resolve the dilemma of enquiry and learning prepares the way for Petrie's proposed solution. He defines learning as an adaptation of thought and action to the demands of the natural and social world. This process has two major components, assimilation and accommodation, corresponding to the two traditional ways of attacking the dilemma. Assimilation is explained using the insights of [control] systems theory, while results in evolutionary epistemology are brought to bear on the question of accommodation. Petrie shows that only a reflective equilibrium between assimilation and accommodation will allow for a resolution of the Meno dilemma. In the course of his presentation the author challenges a number of educational dogmas, including the beliefs that clear and unambiguous goals can be stated for learning; that theory can be "applied" to practice; that "subjective" tests are inferior to "objective" tests; and that the intelligence of a child makes a difference to educational policy. The book outlines new approaches to commonplace educational phenomena such as testing and to radical phenomena such as conversion experiences. It makes novel practical suggestions for the use of activity, perceptual training, and metaphor in a variety of learning situations.

The Dilemma of Enquiry and Learning

Politics & Social Sciences

Petrie, Hugh G.

Philosophy

Based on Perceptual Control Theory, PCT (explained in the foreword), this therapeutic method, called The Method of Levels (MOL) leaves the patient in control with no interference from the therapist. 
Author Tim Carey shows how you can ask very simple questions about background thoughts to assist a friend in distress. Without offering advice or commentary of any kind, you can help your trusting friend review his or her problem, finding his or her own solution by "going up a level," looking at his or her own internal conflict "from above" and finding ways to resolve it by changing his or her sense of what is important-changing how he or she looks at the internal conflict. 
While working for Scotland's National Health Service Dr. Carey used the approach described in this book exclusively with his primary care patients. Some of his colleagues learned MOL from Dr. Carey and used it too. MOL achieved a new level of service efficiency such that a 15 month waiting list was reduced to 0 months. 
From a review by Kalen Hammann: I've just finished the Method of Levels, and I'm astonished, delighted, and inspired. I was a psychotherapist for many years, using a variety of approaches (predominantly Gestalt Therapy, several versions of family therapy, and more recently Psychology of Mind), and while my clients were often happy with the results, I frequently wasn't. My fundamental dissatisfaction arose from the fact that I never knew WHY we were successful when we were, and what had gone wrong or failed to go right when we weren't. Now I think maybe at last I know.

The Method of Levels: How to Do Psychotherapy Without Getting in the Way

Carey, Timothy A.

Mental Health

This book introduces a new understanding of purposeful behavior and shows how to apply it to a wide range of leadership problems. Running a company, department or team has been more difficult than it needs to be because we have lacked an understanding of human behavior that actually fits the way human beings work. 
In this book you learn that we are controllers, that it is our nature to control, and that when we attempt to control others we easily create conflict. 
Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) shows what control is and how it works; how it gives rise to conflict or cooperation, depending on what individuals want and how they see things. Control is not a dirty word. Control is necessary for life and being "in control" or contented is satisfying. When others attempt to control us we resist and dislike it. 
We are all psychologists; we all deal with other people. Our understanding and skill determines our effectiveness and satisfaction as leaders, managers, salesmen, teachers and friends, both in the workplace and in our personal lives. 
With PCT, leaders and staff can learn the same testable understanding and effective approach. You deal with your associates at all levels just like they deal with customers and suppliers. When you understand PCT, dealing with people no longer will be complex and confusing, a matter of luck, a gift, or something best left to specialists.

Management and Leadership: Insight for Effective Practice

Forssell, Dag

Science & Math

Runkel reviews current psychological research methods (i.e., 'casting nets') and tells the reader in an easily understandable way what kinds of information the methods do and do not provide. Any research method is a tool appropriate in some but not all situations. The mainstream research tools of psychology are not sufficient to explain individual behavior and its causes. Following this review, the reader is familiarized with the concept of causation and with W.T. Powers's Perceptual Control Theory, the framework necessary for a change in perspective on human behavior (i.e., 'testing specimens'). The author explains how an appropriate investigation of causation in individual human behavior should be designed and then expands the view to an interaction between individuals.

Casting Nets and Testing Specimens: Two Grand Methods of Psychology

This work by Runkel introduces Perceptual Control Theory, PCT, which is a new conception of how all living organisms function. Runkel links PCT thinking to the psychological literature and discusses it against the background of that literature.   FROM THE FOREWORD:  Though this book is not academic in the usual sense of repeating what most academic psychologists have believed during the past several decades, I do claim it to be scientific in the sense that a good many of the claims I make about human functioning can be put to experimental test-can be tried out in tangible, physically demonstrable ways that can be reproduced or extended by anyone who takes the trouble. The theory I offer here is Perceptual Control Theory, or PCT for short.  Its core postulates have indeed been tested, the results of the tests have been published in the scientific literature, and the core assumptions are being extended in the designs of further experimental tests.  Furthermore, the experimental tests have been far more demanding than the experimentation in the mainstream psychology books, as you will see.  I am not saying that everything I say here has been tested empirically, but I do make that claim about the fundamental postulates and about a good many derivations from them.   I will disagree in serious ways with most of the widely accepted psychological theories you encounter in popular literature, in textbooks (of whatever discipline), and in the halls of academe.  I will agree with the other theories at some points, but the underlying assumptions of the theory here (Perceptual Control Theory) are not those you will find either printed or implied on many of the pages printed about psychology.  In that sense, this book is disputatious.  I do not, by the way, claim that those other authors and lecturers are immoral or mentally deficient.  I claim only that they are wrong.   Numerous introductions, explanations and articles in PDF format, tutorials and simulation programs for Windows computer, and links to related resources are available at the publisher's website,  www.livingcontrolsystems.com.

People as Living Things: The Psychology of Perceptual Control

Based on Perceptual Control Theory, PCT (explained in the foreword), this therapeutic method, called The Method of Levels (MOL) leaves the patient in control with no interference from the therapist. Author Tim Carey shows how you can ask very simple questions about background thoughts to assist a friend in distress. Without offering advice or commentary of any kind, you can help your trusting friend review his or her problem, finding his or her own solution by "going up a level," looking at his or her own internal conflict "from above" and finding ways to resolve it by changing his or her sense of what is important-changing how he or she looks at the internal conflict.While working for Scotland's National Health Service Dr. Carey used the approach described in this book exclusively with his primary care patients. Some of his colleagues learned MOL from Dr. Carey and used it too. MOL achieved a new level of service efficiency such that a 15 month waiting list was reduced to 0 months. From a review by Kalen Hammann: I've just finished the Method of Levels, and I'm astonished, delighted, and inspired. I was a psychotherapist for many years, using a variety of approaches (predominantly Gestalt Therapy, several versions of family therapy, and more recently Psychology of Mind), and while my clients were often happy with the results, I frequently wasn't. My fundamental dissatisfaction arose from the fact that I never knew WHY we were successful when we were, and what had gone wrong or failed to go right when we weren't. Now I think maybe at last I know.

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Living Control Systems Publishing publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Living Control Systems Publishing

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Living Control Systems Publishing publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

People as Living Things; The Psychology of Perceptual Control

Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Approaches to a Science of Life

The Dilemma of Enquiry and Learning

The Method of Levels: How to Do Psychotherapy Without Getting in the Way

Management and Leadership: Insight for Effective Practice

Casting Nets and Testing Specimens: Two Grand Methods of Psychology

Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Approaches to a Science of Life

People as Living Things: The Psychology of Perceptual Control

The Method of Levels: How to Do Psychotherapy Without Getting in the Way

Casting Nets and Testing Specimens: Two Grand Methods of Psychology