'Out The Box' Radical Psycho-Social Thinking Relativistic Psychology & Psycho-Social Theory - Social Research, Education, Training & Consultancy
Welcome to the University of Life All that we know is by virtue of our senses and - all our senses, including the ones we ignore - our intuitive, integrated mental senses.
Somewhere to 'Think Outside the Box', or 'Get Out Your Box' entirely - Be Our Guest If you think that being 'middle of the road', part of a majority make you 'normal' think again; it makes you average - normal is the whole range of possibilities
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We are interested in engaging Researchers and Professional's involved in Pure and Applied Human Sciences. Advances in the Genome Research, Information Technology and 'Scanning' Technologies are providing insights into Human Sciences that will revolutionalise our understanding.
This site will focus upon advancing rigorous thinking in integrated Psychological & Sociological Understanding and the relationship with modern advances in Human Genetics.
Our interest is in debating ideas around information processing, concept formation and psycho-social perspective. The problem of how we contemplate our human condition.
Some of these papers are 'Working Papers' and seek to ask questions as much as answer them. Challenging existing assumptions is central.
If there anyone able to help us in these areas would be appreciated. I do not have the time to keep these areas working properly on my own.
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Cognition & Intelligences - A Working Paper - Please feel free to email critiques and contribution.
I would guess that the vast majority of Academics accept (without too much thought) the conventional notions of intelligence. IQ, as measured by most intelligence tests, is believed to be a reasonable representation of intellectual competence. This is not too surprising. Academics usually come out quite well with IQ scores. The same is true for a great many professional groups. Many Academic and Vocational screening methods are validated against IQ test.
It is not too surprising that IQ tests have become popular, if they 'validate' those who score well. We should not be too surprised if these individuals then 'load' their assessment and selection criteria, by validating these against what they believe are 'purely' researched, evidenced and logically sound premises. Convincing as the empirical arguments an assumptions are, the are not 'culturally' sound and their purity is obtained by ignoring much that is incorporated.
There is no doubt that IQ Tests do have some value and do follow a convention of social science; to provide them some validity. The fact that these work favourably for Academics and Professionals of various kind, is not evidence of a conspiracy of intelligence. By the same token, the fact that IQ was developed as a tool in social science does not guarantee its purity as an academic notion (as will be argued and evidenced repeatedly on this website).
Opening Arguments:
In forensic studies & assessments, when the features of 'intelligence' and 'cognition' fail to justify powerful, social controlling and somewhat 'deluded' practice of 'clinical and legal' psychiatry, the psychiatric discipline tends to revert to 'personality' for its paradigm. It extricates itself from the embarrassment of misdiagnosis and covers up the fundamental errors of psychiatric thinking, by shifting to an 'alternative' (equally distorted) paradigm; Personality.
'Personality' is less well understood and less rigorously tested as a valid psychological feature, although we all know what is is getting at. Reverting to 'Personality' is often a great way for psychiatry to sweep things under the carpet - it becomes a dumping ground for everything which cannot be explained (or legally defined and justified) else where. The many formal duties of psychiatry come into serious conflict with medical ethics - the justifications are 'dirty' thinking.
This is a shame, because personality could be a much more valid area of study and research, if there were fewer vested interests and presumptions in this area of study. Howard Gardner highlights some of the inconsistencies in conventional notions of intelligence and cognition. His notions allow us to see the link between conventional notions of intelligence and other cognitive features, like personality. He also poses questions into the intelligence of 'Ethics'.
I use the term 'Cognitive Features' quite loosely, because it is my belief that we are going to have to completely revise our whole notion of cognition in the next few years. My own notion of Relativistic Psychology (a form of integrated social psychology, involving multidimensional notions of intelligence) and Relativistic Perspectives on Genetics and Human Adaptation, are well supported by Howard Gardner's refreshing perspectives on these subject of 'intelligences'.
Howard Gardner is Harvard professor, author & psychologist. He has written a book entitled Five Minds for the Future. I cannot say that I agree with all his finding (in the forms presented), but I fully respect his critical analysis of the current psychology of intelligence and the notion of Multiple Intelligences. These parallel & complement my own notion of Multidimensional Intelligence, which evolved out of my Operational Research in teaching and social work, with Learning Disability and 'Psychotic' dysfunction.
Lawrence R. Velvel, Dean of the Massachusetts School of Law, interviews Gardner, who previously developed his theory on multiple intelligences. The purpose of this book is to determine the abilities or minds that will be necessary for success in this century. Gardner argues & supports the importance of a new kind of education in the humanities, business, science, art, politics and engineering that will needed to compete in the coming years.
Quantum Mechanics, though String theory to Unified Theory and Consciousness.
(Back where we started - Wisdom & Enlightenment)
My own key concepts that are consistent with these Unified Theory developments: 'Expectation' and 'Intention'. Terry Couchman.
At this point I also wish to acknowledge the contribution that Professor Elliott Jaques (Brunel University) made in helping me begin to formulate some of my own ideas, out of his radical challenges to the existing notions of psychology, sociology, psychiatry and social organisation. He too challenged the conventional notions of intelligence and, by the 1970's identifying different 'forms' and 'types' of intellectual processing, which had practical and predictive characteristics that were well ahead of their time.
Professor Jaques died in 2003 and I am sorry that I was too busy with my own work, studies and research, to have met with him one final time. I would have liked to have shown what a significant contribution he had made in taking me on trust. He provided me with an opportunity to engage in study and research at a postgraduate level that I could never have achieved by academic convention. I have pursued these studies, quite deliberately in 'relative' academic isolation, for 25 years.
His advanced thinking has not been lost. The world of psychology, sociology and psychiatry is just about at the stage where they are able to contemplate some of the ideas he was putting forward over 30 years age. Like all great minds; "The ability to 'contemplate' is at least one level above that level at which we can 'explicate' " - these are my words, but he gave me that inspiration.
Further more, in my personal and research experience, this same notion is transferable to the public staring of knowledge: The social -dynamic equivalent notion is: "The listener can only contemplate the notions of the communicator at some level below that of the speaker - namely, that which can be communicated in words & formula, and which they have appropriate intellectual access to'.
Sometimes, there is that spark in the communication which transcends normal communication conventions and something passes between the communicator and the listeners that conveys something of the 'unspoken' part of the dialogue. It often happens as the result of a form of rapport (being on the same wavelength). It is quite different to the alternative 'copying what has been said, word for word'.
And so it is that I had that spark, for the moment, on a number of points of engagement. In some measure it was in the Master - Apprentice relationship, but is a timeless way is was a communication of equals, coming from different places and (in some ways) at different times. That is the sense that I now have and which explains the great respect I have for Einstein (who I did not personally meet).
This experience was all the more rewarding because the subject matter of the communications was also the 'key' to its fuller understanding. This same experience arose in my reading of R D Laing and particularly in the two significant conversations that I had with him directly, even with the disagreement I had with some of his more extreme practices.
Something clicked and the whole concept was there as a kind of gestalt. All that is left is the task of translating this knowledge and insight, obtained from great minds, into forms that can be adequately communicated, with the same inspirational spark. I can only hope that I have that ability, but in its absence I will write down those experiences in various forms and hope that others pick up on that psychic electricity (for want of a better term).
This same can be said for others I have met, including A J Aire, various inspirational entertainers, musicals, some very astute & insightful students (of all subjects) and young health and social care professionals. I can only hope that their inspiration is not killed off by the cynicism of stayed old professional hacks, who resent the continued enthusiasm and optimisms of those they must control and discipline.
Someone need to advise such people that 'Professional Discipline' means 'Rigorous Ethical Thinking & Practice', not bullying.
A CHALLENGE TO THOSE WHO THINK THEY MAY KNOW BETTER: (Reply to: terry@visitweb.org)
Open Invite: If you fundamentally and intelligently disagree with anything published on this site, its sister sites, or any accredited links, please submit your arguments for publication. We will give anyone a fair hearing, provided it is not abusive in content; But be warned, we have heard most of the counter arguments already and are well prepared with sound evidence, theory and rational arguments. All the topics covered here are always open to debate & challenge. I would also appreciate 'typo' corrections and request for clarity - I have Dyslexia.
Most of what we write here is 'original thinking', not regurgitation. We rarely deal in opinions - we operate from the basis of substantiated facts, fundamental principles , rigorous thinking and direct, experiential evidence - this is a different order of understanding. Some say things will never change. This is a self fulfilling prophesy - we challenge that assumption. Human adaptation wills that natural social order will prevail, for those who 'collectively' survive. Evolution did not end with Darwin.
Change is inevitable and the most important changes comes from within. So; get out of the new road if you can't lend a hand, for the order is rapidly fading; the times they are a changing. Adapt or become extinct, like our Neanderthal ancestors. They provided our 'red in tooth and claw', emergency backup to the advanced forms of social adaptation and cooperation. It is time to defeat and tame the Neanderthal within. Fight against ignorance, prejudice & every form of abuse. See Genetics Unplugged
For Your Choice - Special Topic Searches: (Irrelevant items filtered out)
A bit of Interesting Social Psychology History
According to Albert Einstein: "Only two things are Infinite; 'The Universe' and 'Human Stupidity'; and I am not too sure about the former". Albert Einstein developed a radically new perspective on the Universe. It revolutionised our understanding of its nature and opened the door to the new technologies we enjoy. He thought outside the box.
He also instigated a new perspective on Human Perception and Thinking: 'Relativistic Psychology'. In his lifetime he experienced the progressive undermining of Human Rights & Dignity in Nazi Germany and USA. He saw how ordinary people, doing as they were told, without question, destroyed or undermine a State and abused its people.
Niemoeller became an advocate for world piece and 'Spoke Out', along with Albert Einstein (Physicist & Humanitarian), Linus Pauling (Quantum Chemist & Peace Activist) and Albert Schweitzer (Ethics Philosopher & Humanitarian). Were these 'Conspiracy Theorists', or just Intelligent, Insightful people with a Social Conscience? Read Pastor Niemoeller's words - these are a general warning to us all.
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"; Edmund Burke. He also said "A State without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation"; Progress is the advance over 'doing nothing'.
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear".Nelson Mandela. It takes courage to 'Speak up' amidst the fear of condemnation & ridicule.
There are a great number of clever people with substantial knowledge about relatively limited areas of human understanding. These undoubtedly intelligent people see themselves as experts in their field. Unfortunately they often have very little knowledge about other, significant areas of human endeavour. The result is a highly distorted and fragmented picture of 'normality'. This expertise is tantamount to a form of ignorant arrogance. You are often being duped and it is wholly appropriate that you remain sceptical about expert opinions. Some do make a small contributions to the progress of human understanding and welfare, but are usually proven to be largely wrong in the end.; "Sometime you can know too much about things of relatively little importance". Terry Couchman.
There’s another storm brewing in mental health – this time in the name of Marion Aslan. It’s time to speak out against the “bastardisation” of the recovery concept. Every NHS trust, mental health organisation and user group has embraced recovery. Marion has worked in mental health for 15 years and argues that not only have any emancipatory aspirations to recovery been lost, but that radical service users have “sold out” to a diluted version of recovery.
SKINNER AND THE CHICKEN PECKING ORDER !!! The fact that well educated (degree level) practitioners are being trained in the simple techniques of Cognitive & Behavioural Therapies, gives evidence to 'dummying down' in education.
These 'techniques' are actually well established and utilised (without theoretical understanding) for 1000's of years. Most of the methods were (& still are) used to quite 'disabling' purpose.
Having identified in animals and seen parallels with 'induced' forms (utilitarian style) of programming humans; Skinner assumed an exclusive learning form, ignoring contradictions.
This is has proven 'convenient' for those 'taught' in this way and is useful in keeping education and health costs down, establishing conformity and producing the 'unthinking' compliance.
Of course, this is wholly short-sighted. Many people feel very uncomfortable with learning and learning style that do not 'fit' them, their needs, or a culture's wider purpose.
The established style and accepted behavioural conventions, produce the ill health and antisocial reactions that Cognitive Therapy is then required to 'correct' - ironic really!
Skinner's Operant Conditioning and 'Behaviourism'
Skinner was undoubtedly a genius, but he was so enamoured by his own conceptual inventions that he convinced himself of the 'Generality' of his Theory. Some of this philosophy has been transferred to Cognitive Therapy.
Lets consider some of the cognitive errors in his argument, as depicted in this video interview. He makes the usual empirical mistake of assuming that his conceptual 'map' directly represents a universal physical reality.
The reality we speak of exists for us as a result of our perceptions & conceptions. It is real for us. The 'reality' of the universe remains open to discovery, by a series of improving constructs & representative generalizations.
Skinner was 'generalising' from the 'particular' observations of starved & stressed animals 'survival' learning. These are emergency modes and can apply to humans, in our pressured, punishing cultures & roles.
Such learning (at this level) is very efficient, but cannot be assumed, by any of the evidence he presents, to represent all forms of 'integrated' learning, even if each component follows his simple theory.
Cognitive Understanding:
Basically, the product is always greater than the sum of its parts. Even if it could be proved that each brain cell learns in this simplistic way, the end result will not always be behaviourally predictable.
There are a lot of &/or's and if/when/else's in learning and behaviour. Once we get to cognitive processes, these logical integrators (and outcomes due to the 'uncertainly principle') we can only make very general predictions.
Where Skinner and his followers are right is; If someone is Operantly Conditioned in a particular way of learning, under any duress, they will become programmed to learning in that way. Hence our current education systems.
These are 'optimised' for compliance and anyone who refuses to fall in with the behavioural edicts is seen as 'abnormal 'in some way. We seek for what we have learned to expect and isolate& stigmatise the 'miss-fits'.
We then use 'behavioural' and 'Cognitive' techniques to undo the damage that this approach has helped to produce, both directly and by reinforcing 'learned' stereotypical thinking, particularly within western cultures.
Its most beneficial use would be to 'extinguish' the dependency creating, inhibiting and frequently disabling effects of 'inflexible' teaching and other institutional practices, which both expect and require stereotypical 'failures' to fit.
Eminem gives us a clue to what is happening there.. Click here for full text
Watch this Space and see link below - More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ON QUASI-INTELLECTUAL ELITISM (Intellectual Stigmatism we call Autism, ADHD, LD, MH, etc.):
There is still so much misunderstanding, even amongst some professionals, concerning what causes psychological and social problems. Because of a relatively small number of successful identifications of 'organic' causes (of rare conditions), the assumption is that all 'irritating' differences that people have, are the result of physical abnormalities, individual incompetence, or genetic weaknesses.
What is often not realised is; the frustrations that we feel are often repercussions of the distress we collectively generate for others, through relative ignorance and general prejudice. There are 'optimum' levels for human beings to function. Push the limits and there are social consequences. The Environment overrules Clinical Judgments (Click here to Full Text in a New Window).
First Law of Relativistic Psychology: Frustrate any person's initiatives & abilities to express their intuitive skills & intellectual competence, positively in the social world and they will either: Express these inwardly, within their own world (Autistic Features, Psychosis & Schizoaffective Disorders, etc.). Or; They will express these negatively in your world (Violence, crime, aggression, antisocial behaviour, terrorism and other, variously destructive individual & social behaviours). There are always personal and social outcomes.
Second Law of Relativistic Psychology: We recreate our social world every day. Short term selfish benefits replicate themselves and create long term social distress, which eventually affects everyone. The opposite is also true. Like the existence of gravity, this has always been the case and has been recognised by the wise for hundreds of generations. These Laws are as fundamental as the laws of Thermal Dynamics and Relativistic Theory. Like Tumbling Dominos, Stacked Dice. or a House of Cards - There are cumulative knock-on effects (the Butterfly Effect - Catastrophe Theory).
A PERSONAL STORY: ADHD, Dyslexia, Autistic Spectrum and Schizoaffective Disorders.
My son has not been diagnosed, or assessed as having Autism, but he would have been if others would have had their way. I strongly resisted him being statemented, because I have seen both the advantages and the disadvantages of this (and the outcomes in adulthood). Being Statemented can carry a very heavy price, affecting a person's entire life. Its not all positive.
I battled to resist any clinical diagnosis and 'belligerently' refused to co-operate along that route, sometime being criticised and even accused of being negligent, or abusive. These label was not available when I was a child, I was described as socially withdrawn and a slow learner - I was lucky. My younger Brother was also physically & sexually abused, developed a drug habit and was then identified as schizophrenic. (Click Here to show text below in New Window)
How often do we ask of a child (or Adult for that matter) "Why did you do that?" in the 'anger frame' of "Don't you dare do that again". These days, we often don't really want to know why. The question originally arose as a genuine desire to know. It springs from our lips so easily. It is so deep rooted and feels such a natural question to ask. Why has it become, like so many utterances, distorted in this ugly way? FEAR!
We no longer want to know answers that may undermine everything we have been lead to believe. A challenge to every quick fix we have been given. Fear that our child may be seen to be different and in being different may challenge all that we have come to believe and rely upon.
Institutionalisation is still with us - In our Residential & Nursing Homes and even Families.
Since the Ann Shearer and others first started her Campaign, in the early 1970's, we have seen a serious advance in Community Care. The concept began to take root when people with learning difficulties became 'organised' and though their Advocates, Friends and directly from themselves, they spoke up at National and Local Conferences. Local Authority representatives and media were astounded at their eloquence.
It was a time of challenge and for change. Many people with learning difficulties and Autism had been incarcerated in special hospitals for many years, often for very minor problems and 'moral' issues. Some were surprisingly outspoken. Others found their voice and through the process of Self Advocacy and Advocacy, their wishes were made known. They still need to be heard. (Click Here to read text below in a New Window)
Many of the difficulties that professional's and carers are calling 'Behavioural Problems' have been generated because of these rather ignorant practices and attitudes, incorporated into the more modern ways of thinking. This completely distorts the original concept of Community Care and appears to invalidate its benefits. People's Rights and Entitlements are once more restricted, often using 'clinical' justifications that are not fully understood, with poor appreciation of the 'social' causes. The person's intelligent challenge, generates the conflicts that professional's identify as 'a problem with the person'. Sometimes, in some measure, this may be true, but the problem is mostly with how we think and behave. Sometimes it is our thinking capability that is severely limited and our behaviour that is out of order. Don't get so cocky.
HUMAN RIGHTS: 'ANY' CULTURAL DISCRIMINATION IS UNLAWFUL (Article 8 esp.).
Self Willed, Tattoos, Long Hair, Outspoken, Disabled, Fiercely Independent with a healthy Kick Ass attitude to Personal Care? You may do better playing a Pathetic Victim. Read about Enablement (or is it 'Disablement') Services. Hopefully not typical, but this is Appalling, Victimising practice, which we challenge. A case of ignorant reactions producing predictable results. A Failure to recognise effects of Brain Damage. Anger is the normal expression of prolonged frustration & is not 'violence'.
This debate is about keeping safe while working with angry, distrusting and frustrated people; those with some forms of brain damage, serious, distressing mental health problems, post traumatic stress reactions, learning difficulties with' behavioural issues', and attitudes and philosophies alien to the average social worker or care worker.
. . . . .(Click here to read the text below in a New Window)
After more than three decades of working in the most challenging, specialist, social work fields - Serious Mental Illness, Learning Disability, Alcohol & Drugs and Community & Youth Work; I have had 3 attempted assaults upon me (minor), while doing my work. This is in spite of my direct intervention in very distressed, aggressive and often psychotically charged situations.
By contrast, while employed in less challenging work and while going about my daily life, I have been threatened and assaulted, by 'normal' people, usually after they had a few drinks. I have been sexually assaulted by 'normal' people, I have been robbed, humiliated, 'cut up' by aggressive drivers, lied to, cheated and condescended to, by a number of 'normal' people; from every class and background and all walks of life.
That is also the general experience of most of the clients I have supported. I really think we need to put things in perspective. Before the usual judgment about how come I found myself in these situations! Well, I am the product of childhood abuse. I refused, any longer, to tolerate any form of abuse, by anyone, to anyone. I accept the price; I am still here though, I will not give in to any form of Bullying, the price for this is fare too high. I'm a survivor you see. I know of these these ignorant reactions
Let me tell you a recent story of someone who will not give in to condescension, prejudice, abuse, or neglect:
On Anger, Aggression and Assertion. (I suggest you enjoy this dissertation before I tidy it up too much)
Why are we so surprised that some people become angry, that others tend to be particularly aggressive and that still others develop a style of anger and aggression that they camouflage as 'Assertive' Behaviour. Of course, there are those other 'identified' individuals and groups who are labelled as 'passive-aggressive'.
The tendency is to contextualise these expressions of emotion and forget that they are powerful, natural mechanisms for self protection and for advancing our species at times of personal, environmental and social need. I have experienced more personal and social distress cause by 'Intellectual Assertions' than by 'verbal or physical aggression'. Give me anger any day. (Click here to read text below in a New Window)
Take the confident 'offensive', try not to be 'defensive'. By being defensive you are accepting a battle on 'their' terms and on their' grounds. By 'reactive assertion' and being more on the offensive, we have more control over the field. We are not interested in a battle, this is our ground and they are not coming onto it, unless invited. Sometimes it can be as simple as putting up one hand, palm forward and stating very firmly, in a low pitch. 'Stop, don't even go there!'. 'No' - No, No... Then assert you conditions and requirements and turn away.
The Web Search link below will provide some good insights but you may want to take some of the basic assumptions with a pinch of salt.
Have fun but become skilful at to ducking and diving. Have a little think about it for a moment. I will be back with more.
Try a protected search on the subject, on our dedicated Google search engine:
Professor Elliott Jaques (1917 - 2003); Psychoanalyst and Social Science Researcher
Professor Elliott Jaques was the inspiration for many of my insights into how institutions succeed or fail to meet their instituted objectives.
He additional contributed to the understanding of how the relationship between clients, patients, employees, mangers & executives thrive or dive.
Organisations function very much like organisms. They are born, grow, mature, need feeding and nurturing. The thrive, they fail, they become sick and they die.
Each part of the Organisation needs to fit equitably with each other part, in order to continue to operate effectively & healthily.
Like any organisms, all parts are important for the overall function and continued survival of the organisation and 'fit' within it's 'culture medium'.
Organisations have to cooperate with other organisms within the social environment, or get swallowed up and overwhelmed by fitter, or more aggressive organisations.
All organisations have a duty to care for their 'environment', or risk its pollution and the subsequent demise of it's customers and thereby; subsequently the demise of itself.
All organisations have a shared obligation and responsibility to operate ethically and openly, or risk generating the same kinds of destructive behaviours in others, as it uses itself.
Like any healthy environment, all organisations benefit most from cooperation between themselves and within themselves. Employees at all levels are both the providers and the users of the ideas, products & services produce.
Please feel free to contact myself on any Health & Social Care issue, Personal, therapeutic, or counselling matter. The level of confidentiality and/or disclosure will be restricted to your choice.
According to Albert Einstein: "Only two things are Infinite; 'The Universe' and 'Human Stupidity'; and I am not too sure about the former". Albert Einstein developed a radically new perspective on the Universe. It revolutionised our understanding of its nature and opened the door to the new technologies we enjoy. He thought outside the box.
There is still so much misunderstanding, even amongst some professionals, concerning what causes psychological and social problems. Because of a relatively small number of successful identifications of 'organic' causes (of rare conditions), the assumption is that all 'irritating' differences that people have, are the result of physical abnormalities, individual incompetence, or genetic weaknesses. 
My son has not been diagnosed, or assessed as having Autism, but he would have been if others would have had their way. I strongly resisted him being statemented, because I have seen both the advantages and the disadvantages of this (and the outcomes in adulthood). Being Statemented can carry a very heavy price, affecting a person's entire life. Its not all positive.
Since the 
Why are we so surprised that some people become angry, that others tend to be particularly aggressive and that still others develop a style of anger and aggression that they camouflage as 'Assertive' Behaviour. Of course, there are those other 'identified' individuals and groups who are labelled as 'passive-aggressive'. 
Professor Elliott Jaques was the inspiration for many of my insights into how institutions succeed or fail to meet their instituted objectives.