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Letter F

rameworks (which have produced actual research)

construction2

The following is a synopsis of complex systems, and related, frameworks which have resulted in actual real world research in qualitative social science.

Collective variables associated with phase transitions of human development

Principal protagonists:

Esther Thelen & Linda Smith

Variables:

Control Parameters, Collective Variable

Units of Analysis:

Observable and quantifiable activity/behavior

Domain:

Temporal (microgenetic through ontogenetic)

Representation:

Visual (graphical)

Purpose:

To give a microgenetic account of phase transitions; illustrate how the ‘same’ cognitive/motor function can develop in many different ways; explore the commonalities between these different ways of developing the same cognitive/motor function. 

Influences:

Dynamical Systems theory (Mathematics)

Sociocultural theory (Vygotsky)

References include:

Atkins, M. S. (2000). Dynamical analysis of infant social referencing. Unpublished Masters Thesis, West Virginia University.  Available online: http://etd.wvu.edu/ETDS/E1487/atkins_m_etd.pdf

Eckerman, C. (1993). Toddler’s achievement of coordinated action with conspecifics: a dynamic systems perspective. A dynamic systems approach to development: applications. L. B. Smith & E. Thelen. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Fogel, A. & E. Thelen (1987). Development of early expressive and communicative action: Reinterpreting the evidence from a dynamic systems perspective. Developmental Psychology, 23: 747-761.

Thelen, E., D. Corbetta, et al. (1993). “The transition to reaching: mapping intention and intrinsic dynamics.” Child Development 64 : 1058-1098.

Thelen, E. and L. Smith (1994). A dynamic systems approach to the development of cognition and action. Cambridge, MA, Bradford Books/MIT Press.

Chatastrophe Theory Explanations of Transitions in Human Development

Principal protagonists:

Paul van Geert; van der Maas

Variables:

Control parameters; Order parameter

Units of Analysis:

Observable, quantified behaviour on microscopic level.    

Domain:

Temporal (microscopic and macroscopic)

Representation:

Visual (graphical)

Influences:

Stage theories of cognitive development (in particular Piaget).

Purpose:

Explaining qualitative macroscopic transitions (order parameter) by mapping quantitative microscopic events (control parameters)

Neo-behavioral Real-time Multi-level Visual Pattern Identification

Principal protagonist:

Magnusson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magnusson, M.S. (1996) "Hidden Real-Time Patterns in Intra- and Inter-Individual Behavior: Description and Detection." European Journal of Psychological Assessment, Vol. 12, Issue 2, p. 112-123.

Salthe

Pianta & Walsh

Cameron

Syversen

Herdina & Jessner

SCTLSC (Guasetello, Dooley, etc)

Luhmann

Activity theory

Complexity:

 

Emergence:

 

Simplicity:

 

Collective Variable:

 

Control Parameter:

 

Order Parameter:

 

Phase Space:

 

State Space:

 

Time Scale:

 

Attractor:

 

Affordance:

 

Co-adaptation:

 

Self-organisation:

 

Collective Variable:

 

Collective Variable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dynamical Description: