Catastrophe Theory in the Behavioral Sciences.

Abstract

Catastrophe theory is a recent and rich development in mathematics. However, its possible application to the behavioral sciences is uncertain and the source of considerable controversy. The theory was reviewed with emphasis on its usefulness in the behavioral sciences. Previous attempts to apply catastrophe theory were examined and criticized. A bibliography of publications in catastrophe theory was compiled, and three new investigations were designed to test the theory's applicability. A laboratory study of reversible apparent movement was the most successful of these; some aspects of the data showed properties that were in accord with expectations derived from a cusp catastrophe. Computer simulations of the behavior of hypothetical neural nets revealed selected catastrophic properties and suggested possible connections between mutually inhibitory systems and the phenomena of perceptual reversals. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA065014

Entities

People

  • Fletcher D. Wicker
  • Ramon L. Hershman
  • W. A. Hillix

Organizations

  • Bureau of Naval Personnel

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Cognition
  • Computer Simulations
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Mathematical Models
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Research
  • Pattern Recognition
  • Psychology
  • Theorems
  • Topology

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Neuroscience
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.