Eva de Hullu 2019

Control systems hierarchy

Experience Perception at this level Loss of control of this level Perceptual Level

Perception of being Loss of control Level 11

This is who I am Existential crisis System concept
This is it I don’t know who I am
Experience of self

Perception of priority Loss of sense of priority Level 10

This is what I want I don't know what I want Principle
This is important I don't know what’s important

Perception of choice Loss of decision Level 9

This is what I do I don't know what to do Program
Experience of time (experience of linear causality)

This is my choice I can't make a choice

Perception of sequence Loss of prediction Level 8

Prediction of what’s next Not knowing what’s next Sequence

Perception of distinction Loss of distinction Level 7

Knowing what it is Not knowing what it is Category

Perception of relation Loss of connection Level 6

Knowing how it’s connected Not knowing how it’s related Relationship
Perception of causation

Perception of event Loss of experience Level 5

Knowing what happens Not knowing what happens Event

Perception of change Loss of experience of time Level 4

Experience of time Transition
Experience of circular causality: here and now

Perception of order Loss of sense of order Level 3

Experience of patterns Loss of consistency Configuration

Perception of sensation Loss of sensation Level 2

Feeling Feeling numb Sensation

Perception of intensity Loss of contact with the world Level 1

Intensity
 Eva de Hullu 2019

Control systems hierarchy

Experience Perception at this level Loss of control of this level Perceptual Level

Perception of being Loss of control Level 11

This is who I am Existential crisis System concept
This is it I don’t know who I am
Conflict at
Experience of self

level 10 or 9?
Perception of priority Loss of sense of priority Level 10
This is what I want I don't know what I want Principle
This is important I don't know what’s important

Perception of choice Loss of decision Level 9

This is what I do I don't know what to do Program
Experience of time (experience of linear causality)

This is my choice I can't make a choice

Perception of sequence Loss of prediction Level 8

Prediction of what’s next Not knowing what’s next Sequence

Perception of distinction Loss of distinction Level 7

Knowing what it is Not knowing what it is Category

Preception of relation Loss of connection Level 6

Knowing how it’s connected Not knowing how it’s related Relationship
Perception of causation

Perception of event Loss of experience Level 5

Knowing what happens Not knowing what happens Event

Perception of change Loss of experience of time Level 4

Experience of time Transition
Experience of circular causality: here and now

Perception of order Loss of sense of order Level 3

Experience of patterns Loss of consistency Configuration

Perception of sensation Loss of sensation Level 2

Feeling Feeling numb Sensation

Perception of intensity Loss of contact with the world Level 1

Intensity

Acting on the Imagination

environment
Acting and Imagination

How could you perceive anything without connection to the lowest level?
These perceptions are not build up from actual signals…?

→ Imagination loop should go all the way down.

The only difference is that no motor action is used on the environment and
no new sensory information is collected. The memory switch should operate
only on level 1?
Acting and Eva de Hullu 2019

Imagination

Imagination

Behaving: acting on
the environment
Modes in PCT

Controlled Mode Automatic Mode

● Default mode
● 2 way connection: upwards &
downwards
● Dynamic high level control
Eating an apple for the first time:
Storage of the taste of apple → new
reference
● Output from memory only
● Low level control using memory of
past reference values
● Routine, habit, skills
Walking on a well-known road using
well-worn shoes.No new memories are
formed.
Passive Observation Mode
● Only bottom-up, not top-down
● No output from memory
● Acquiring new reference signals?
Listening to a presentation?
Imagination Mode
● Separation between levels
● Experience depends on levels
involved
● No action on environment
Thinking, planning, imagining, dreaming
Perceptual Control Theory
Negative feedback loop