The DOI matches its Crossref record.
Chaos, self-organization, and psychology.
Abstract
A variety of investigators in recent years have proposed models of psychological systems based on the concepts of chaos, nonlinear dynamics, and self-organization. Unfortunately, psychologists in general have little understanding of these important ideas. These terms are defined, and their relationships are discussed. The value of applying these concepts to psychological systems is demonstrated by exploring their utility in areas ranging from neuroscience to clinical psychology. Some of the difficulties in using nonlinear concepts and methodologies in empirical investigations are also discussed.
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“Another reason to expect inconsistency in associations is the complex dynamic systems theory, which suggests that psychological processes are perpetually changing [46].”
From Using person-specific networks in psychotherapy: challenges, limitations, and how we could use them anyway (2020) · cites this paper as [46]
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Ebert, W. (2001) · VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-322-97506-5_14
Eckert, J., Biermann-Ratjen, E.-M., & Höger, D. (2006) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/3-540-28508-3_24
The Future ofImprovement Programs
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Stiles, W. B., Flores, A. L., Twomey, H. B., Surko, M., Wanicur, E., & Honos‐Webb, L. (1994) · Clinical Psychology Science and Practice · doi:10.1111/j.1468-2850.1994.tb00013.x
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Human Performance Variability: An Evolutionary Perspective
Smith, T. J., Henning, R. A., Wade, M. G., & Fisher, T. (2014) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/b17319-15
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Carmody‐Bubb, M. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-31929-7_5
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Love, culture, rationality, and learning in repeated games
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Binding Problem of Consciousness
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Beyond Binary Thinking About Physical Reality
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Metadata
- Authors
- Barton, S.
- Affiliations
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Barton, Scott
- Venue
- American Psychologist
- Published
- 1994
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 5-14
- ISSN
- 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
- 1935-990X
- OpenAlex
- W1992788167
- Cited by
- 309
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 26.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Chaos, Complexity, and Education
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Complex Systems and Dynamics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Embodied and Extended Cognition
- Keywords
- chaos theory, self-organization, nonlinear dynamics, psychological systems, clinical psychology
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Arousal, Attention, Brain, Electroencephalography, Humans, Synaptic Transmission, Psychophysiology, Nonlinear Dynamics
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