Abstract
Carver and Scheier apply control theory — behaviour as negative feedback toward reference values; affect signals progress rate, not just distance to goal.
Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (1982). Psychological Bulletin, 92(1), 111–135. DOI
Key findings
- Feedback loop — Compare perception to standard — then adjust behaviour.
- Reference values — Goals act as set points the system tries to match.
- Rate of progress — Velocity toward goal drives mood — slow progress hurts.
- Self-engineering — Engineer standards and feedback, not only motivation speeches.
Limits
Cybernetic framework — useful self-regulation map, not proof one feedback loop explains all behaviour.