William T. Powers facts for kids

William T. Powers (born August 29, 1926 – died May 24, 2013) was an American scientist who studied how people and animals control their actions. He was a medical physicist, which means he used physics to understand health and medicine. He also became an expert in psychology, the study of the mind and behavior.

William T. Powers created a special idea called perceptual control theory (PCT). This theory explains that living things don't just control what they do (their actions). Instead, they change their actions to control what they sense or perceive around them. His father was Treval Clifford Powers, a well-known scientist who studied cement.

What is Perceptual Control Theory?

Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) is a way of understanding how living things work. It suggests that our actions are not random. Instead, we act in ways that help us keep our perceptions (what we see, hear, feel, etc.) the way we want them to be.

Controlling Your World

Imagine you want to keep your room tidy. You don't just randomly move your hands. You pick up clothes, put books on shelves, and make your bed. You do these actions to make your room look tidy. PCT says you are controlling the perception of a tidy room, not just the actions of tidying.

How PCT is Different

You might have heard of control systems, like a thermostat that keeps a room at a certain temperature. In those systems, someone sets the temperature from the outside. But in living things, like you, the "setting" for what you want to perceive comes from inside you. You decide what a "tidy room" means to you.

Examples of Control

• If you are walking, you adjust your steps to keep your body balanced and moving forward. You are controlling the perception of staying upright and moving.
• When you ride a bike, you steer and pedal to keep the bike moving straight and at the speed you want. You are controlling the perception of your path and speed.

Proving the Theory

William T. Powers and his students did many experiments. They also created computer programs that acted like living systems. These programs showed that PCT could accurately predict how people and animals behave. Scientists have even found parts of the brain that work in ways that support PCT.

Other Interests

Besides his work in psychology, William T. Powers also had other creative projects.

The Game Trippples

He designed a board game called Trippples. This game was made by a company called Aladdin Industries. He even received a US Patent for his game in 1974.

Early Ideas

Through his connections with science fiction writers, William T. Powers was also interested in early ideas related to Dianetics.

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