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Computer simulation of Freud's counterwill theory: extension to elementary social behavior
Behavioral Science
|April 1, 1986
Summary
This study presents a dynamic systems model of individual and dyadic decision-making, integrating personality and social psychology. The model reveals how individuals and couples achieve stability, offering new research approaches for complex social systems.
Area of Science:
- Systems theory
- Psychology
- Social dynamics
Background:
- Extends Wegman's 1977 system dynamics model of individual functioning.
- Integrates theories from personality and social psychology.
- Focuses on organism, subsystems, and suprasystem interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quantitative model of decision processes in living systems.
- To explore interpersonal relationship dynamics within a systems framework.
- To investigate how individuals and dyads achieve stability.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized diverse psychological theories into feedback system equations.
- Developed individual and dyadic system models.
- Analyzed model operational modes and their stability.
Main Results:
- Individual models exhibited distinct operational modes.
- Dyadic models showed combinations of modes correlating with marital behavior.
- Demonstrated that unstable individuals can achieve stability in relationships, and unstable dyads can become stable.
Conclusions:
- A synthetic, quantitative approach is effective for modeling small social systems.
- The model offers insights into achieving stability in complex dynamic systems.
- Suggests new empirical research methodologies for social systems study.