Theory Database - Theory 11: Control Theory

This is a searchable database of theories of behaviour change that have been formalised according to an Ontology-Based Modelling System.

For more information, see:

West, R., Godinho, C. A., Bohlen, L. C., Carey, R. N., Hastings, J., Lefevre, C. E., & Michie, S. (2019). Development of a formal system for representing behaviour-change theories. Nature human behaviour, 3(5), 526. doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0561-2.
Hale, J., Hastings, J., West, R., Lefevre, C. E., Direito, A., Connell Bohlen, L., Godinho, C., Anderson, N., Zink, S., Goarke, H., and Michie, S. (2020) An ontology-based modelling system (OBMS) for representing behaviour change theories applied to 76 theories [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]. Wellcome Open Research.

Theory 11: Control Theory

Number of Constructs: 11
Number of Triples: 18

Theory triples

Output function (behaviour) influences Impact on environment
Comparator influences Output function (behaviour)
Impact on environment influences Input function (perception)
Input function (perception) influences Comparator
Input function (perception) influences System control
Input function (perception) influences Principle control
Input function (perception) influences Program control
Input function (perception) influences General course of action / senses
System control influences Principle control
Principle control influences Program control
Program control influences General course of action / senses
General course of action / senses influences Reference value
Reference value influences Comparator
Disturbance influences Impact on environment
System control part of Hierarchy of systems
Principle control part of Hierarchy of systems
Program control part of Hierarchy of systems
General course of action / senses part of Hierarchy of systems

Theory constructs and annotations

Output function (behaviour) A behaviour that reduces the perceived discrepancy between the current and desired condition [ BCIO:036000 (Individual Human Behaviour) 11 50 49 42 35 47 52 43 46 24 25 39 30 ]
Impact on environment Changes to the environment that occur as a direct result of performing a behaviour [ BCIO:050823 (impact of behaviour on environment) 11 ]
Comparator The mechanism through which perceived current conditions are compared against a particular standard [ BCIO:050619 (Comparison of current situation with a standard) 11 ]
Input function (perception) The process through which one makes perceptions about the current situation [ MF:0000019 (perception) 11 52 5 ]
System control The reference value at the highest level of the hierarchical system that represents the desired self-image [ BCIO:050860 (desired standard for self-identity) 11 ]
Principle control The reference value at the second highest level of the hierarchical system that serves as a guiding principle to describe how people self-regulate with respect to system concepts [ BCIO:050859 (desired self-regulatory standard) 11 ]
Program control The reference value at the third highest level of the hierarchical system that specifies a course of action required, and that is particularly important for self regulation [ BCIO:050859 (desired self-regulatory standard) 11 ]
General course of action / senses
Reference value The standards against which one's current behaviour is compared (e.g. a desired behaviour or state) [ BCIO:006079 (Desired standard) 11 58 ]
Disturbance External factors that can cause changes to one's current condition [ BCIO:006086 (Opportunity) 11 73 25 1 32 4 60 67 65 59 8 74 66 41 5 77 56 9 12 79 ]
Hierarchy of systems A representation of a hierarchical system of interconnected feedback loops which relate to the perception and reduction of discrepancies between a one's desired state and current state

Theory illustration

Theory Reference

Carver, C.S., & Scheier, M.F. (1982) Control theory: A Useful Conceptual Framework for Personality-Social, Clinical, and Health Psychology. Psychological Bulletin, 92, 111-135.

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