Complexity Models and Psychopathology
Evolutionary Psychology (Brody)-
SEMINAR THEMES
by James Brody, John Fentress, Dylan Evans, 5/7/98
Complexity Models and Psychopathology
by James Brody, 5/7/98
Introduction: Kauffman's Model & the Diagnosis, and Treatment of Emotional Distress
James Brody, Ph.D.
May 5, 1998
The Model
Kauffman (1995) discusses chaos, stasis, and phase transitions. The model has consequences for evolution and for understanding our cognitive assets, language, and social organization. There are implications for diagnosis and treatment of emotional distress as well as for our understanding of Free Will.
Chaos refers to the absence of predictable outcomes from single or multiple events. A tiny variation in one trait cascades into every larger, ever wider changes. Stasis refers to prolonged intervals of no change whether in species or rocks. Phase transition applies to the interval between changes from one state to another.
We are surrounded by natural examples; the action of light switches is a useful artificial one. Press the switch lever a tenth inch upwards, the bulb remains dark. It stays dark with each tenth inch the lever travels until the midpoint of the lever's range. Travel that middle tenth -- the phase transition -- and the bulb lights completely, getting no brighter with further deflection of the lever. The cycling of water between solid, liquid, and vapor is a second example. Liquidity occupies a very narrow zone of the range of possible temperatures; ice or vapor occupy the remainder.
Kauffman's model suggests 1) that life operates in a narrow interval between the phases of random activity and rigidity and, 2) the continuum between randomness and behavioral rigidity is a function of the number of interconnections between decision units. Mathematical analyses reveal a narrow range separating stasis from chaos, a sufficiently narrow range to be designated a "phase transition."
Application to Psychopathology
A phase transition model seems promising for an understanding of rapid cycling as well as to other syndromes associated with brain damage, developmental disabilities, ADHD, mania, schizophrenia, and Alzheimers. One of the model's contributions for our understanding of all of these disorders is the heightened probability that density of interconnection between competing neural mechanisms, including some of those involved in different psychological adaptations, is a key regulatory factor in the quality of the disorder.
Kauffman's model suggests that rapid oscillation in emotional states is a function of interconnections between neurons rather than in the total number of neurons. Analogue changes in the intensity of a reaction and smooth sequencing between opposed reactions is likely a function of the number of connections between competing cell assemblies. Evolutionary, complex behaviors such as those associated with Executive Functions or creative thought may be a product of interconnection density rather than particular cell nuclei.
Disruption of axonal interplay by any means -- trauma or chemical shifts -- should elicit more spastic movements, scrambled thoughts, and difficulty engaging and disengaging action sequences. High degrees of response variability become a pessimistic diagnostic sign.
Treatment
Therapeutic interventions that encourage more dense interconnection should not only smooth execution of response sequences but encourage the operation of Executive Functions such as planning, waiting, task switching, analytical ability, and the ability to synthesize new motor sequences for problem solving.
The sensed attribute of richer connections between logic units is a wider range of indecision, a wider range in which the words "maybe," "often," "usually," or "seldom" apply. These shifts are likely regardless of whether the logic units are molecular, chemical, neuronal, or electrical. They will apply whether occurring within a single organism or within a flock and whether the signal between logic units is an action potential or the sensory impact of a conspecific.
Therapeutic interventions that encourage more crosstalk should not only smooth execution of response sequences but encourage the operation of Executive Functions such as planning, waiting, task switching, analytical ability, and the ability to synthesize new motor sequences. Traditional interventions such as learning, anxiety reduction, cognitive therapy, and certain classes of medication likely help move us out of stasis or stereotypy and towards Maybe, the center of a phase transition. Even exercise and dietary shifts could help increase crosstalk between our different psychological adaptations and slow the automatic execution of any one of them.
There are many instances where crosstalk within the client is insufficient. It becomes important then to establish crosstalk (alliances) between the client and other people. While the magic number is still 3, the larger the group, the less likely an extreme decision becomes. Friends and family have more stable features (and are more preditable) than any single member. Therapists, ministers, and professional friends become more important for an impulsive person who does not have prior alliances. The periodic need for long term support and environmental adjustments lies within this framework.
posted www.cape.org/1998/