Catastrophe%20Theory

1
Catastrophe Theory

• Mafuyu Kitahara
• English Theme8
• 2006-07-10
• Summary of Chapter 15, Carver Scheier (1998),
  On the Self-Regulation of Behavior, Cambridge
  Univ. Press.

2
CUSP catastrophe

• X control parameter 1
• Z control parameter 2
• Y outcome
• As Z increases, X-Y becomes less linear

3
Extra (not in the textbook)

• Simple equation yx3ax
• yx3-10x yx3
  yx30.5x

• General form for cusp V(a,b)x4ax2bx

4
Sensitive to initial cond

• A slight change in x
• big difference in y
• when z becomes large
• e.g.
• x You guys on 2005-04-01
• y Grade
• z Time
• Some of you go over the top of the cliff, but
  others don't...

5
Hysteresis

• Difference of where it comes from
• e.g., ytaste of cup noodle, xtemperature

6
Variability

• Between-subjects
• Each dot subjrect
• Zero variability except around the cusp
• Variability either top or bottom surface
• Within-subject
• Repeated measure
• Each dot trial

7
Applications (1) Perception

• The initial perception is retained.
• Start from Old...slow to change into Young
• ... vice versa
• Primacy effect
• Bias
• Prejudice

8
Applications (2) Dating and Mating

• xattraction
• zsocial pressure
• yactivity
• Low social pressure
• Attraction and dating
• quasi-linearly related
• High social pressure
• hysteresis

9
Applications (3) Relationship

• xsatisfaction
• zcloseness
• y(de)commitment
• Not close
• Satisfaction and commitment quasi-linearly
  related
• Close
• hysteresis

• About the same for... anything
• Groups
• Rumination vs. Action
• Expectancies
• Effort vs. disengagement

10
Application (4) Wortman Brehm model

• Different, but similar

11
Report

• Due date Friday, August 4th
• Required items
• Word-processor output
• A4 paper, max 1000 words
• School-of-Law coverpage
• Theme
• Summary and commentary on any chapter(s) of the
  textbook or reference material