The Psychology of Human Control: A General Theory of Purposeful Behavior

Departing from Myles Friedman’s previous versions of prediction theory, this study contends that people seek control as an end in itself. The ability to make accurate predictions is the primary means to that end. Seeking an explanation for human superiority, Friedman and Lackey present a tight formal theory that defines the dynamic relationship between and among predictive processes responsible for human control and success. This new and general theory of purposeful behaviour provides a sound basis for relating leading theoretical views to each other. Directed toward psychologists and psychiatrists - educational psychologists, industrial psychologists, and psychotherapists will each discover chapters of specific interest to their areas of expertise. Friedman and Lackey offer a new control-oriented motivational system for human beings and a distinctly different view of intelligence. Their presentation is divided into three major parts. The first describes prediction theory in a general way including sufficient detail and examples for the reader to excerpt major ideas.