How is PCT different from from other theories of behavior?
It’s different because of what it assumes behavior to be. Other theories of behavior see behavior as caused output: human behaviors such as talking and writing are seen as outputs that are caused by processes in a person’s brain or by stimuli in a person’s environment. PCT, on the other hand, sees behavior as controlled input. Behaviors such as talking and writing are seen as the observable consequences of actions (vocal and hand movements, respectively) aimed at producing intended inputs (sounds, graphical patterns). While other theories view behavior as mechanical and responsive, PCT views behavior as goal directed and purposeful. PCT is a theory that explains how purposeful behavior works. The basic process that underlies purposeful behavior is closed loop negative feedback control. Control involves the production of consistent results in the face of disturbances that would otherwise prevent those results from repeating. For example, control is involved when you consistently write y
