CYBERNETICS OF ALCOHOLISM |
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| Authors: | MICHAEL J. CLIFFE |
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| Affiliation: | West Norfolk and Wisbech Health Authority , Great Britain |
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| Abstract: | Abstract The interest of the pioneers of cybernetics and systems theory in psycho-pathology is noted. Alcoholism is cited as an example of the application of cybernetic and systems concepts to psychopathology. The paper argues that conventional medical and learning theory models of alcoholism are erroneous in that they do not take account of cybernetic and systems views, Empirical evidence is reviewed which supports the subsuming of the interactionist perspective by General Behavior Systems Theory. The importance of homeostatic mechanisms is discussed. It is concluded that progress in the management of alcoholism is dependent on the adoption of an epis-temology consistent with that of cybernetics. |
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