On Purposeful Systems : An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Individual and Social Behavior as a System of Purposeful Events

ISBN-13: 9780202307985 / Angielski / Miękka / 2005 / 306 str.

Russell L. Ackoff; Fred E. Emery; Brent D. Ruben

Opis

This book provides an innovative foundation for looking at human and social behavior u as a system of purposeful (teleological) events. It uses a systems theoretical approach for the study of these phenomena, and illustrates and extends general systems theory.Part One develops the concepts of traditional mechanism from which, successively, the concepts of "function," "choice," "goal-seeking," and "purposefulness" are derived, leading to a quantitative formulation of "personality." Part Two provides an analysis of aspects of purposeful behavior and personality, and Part Three explores the interaction of purposeful systems. Part Four is concerned with the study of social groups and ideal-seeking behavior. Finally, structural concepts underpinning the theoretical system are redefined in technological terms, thus demonstrating the non-vicious circularity and interdependence of all scientific concepts.

Spis treści

AldineTransaction Introduction, Preface, I. Foundations, 1. On Human Behavior as a System, 2. Structure, Function, and Purpose, 3. The Individuality of Psychological Systems, II. The Process of Pursuing Purposes, 4. Generation of Inputs: Perception, Consciousness, and Memory, 5. Modeling the Situation: Beliefs, 6. Evaluating the Situation: Feelings and Attitudes, 7. Formulation and Evaluation of Choices: Thought and Intuition, 8. Purposeful Systems and their Environments, III. Interactions of Purposeful Systems, 9. Feelings and Communication, 10. Signs, Messages, and Language, 11. Models of Communication, 12. Conflict, Cooperation, and Competition, IV. Social Systems and Beyond, 13. Social Groups as Systems, 14. Ideal-Seeking Systems, 15. Epilogue: Rounding the Conceptual Circle, Appendix I, Appendix II, Appendix III, Name Index, Subject Index

O autorze

Fred Emery