Human Behaviours

Human Behaviours

Cybernetics and information theory

Cybernetics, is the study of control and communication in machines and living things. This science deals with similarities in the functioning of human beings and machines. The use of feedback by the latter is one of their most important shared characteristics, according to the founder of the science of cybernetics, Norbert Wiener. This American mathematician, as well as some other mathematicians, had observed that both people and machines were purposeful and orderly, sought stability, and used information.

By feedback is meant that information circles back to a control device to adjust behaviour. For example, when the body temperature of a human being is too high or too low, this information is fed back to the brain, which then perform proper operations to correct the temperature (see Neurology for more information). Another example is that of a thermostat which maintains a constant temperature by using the feedback obtained from the sensor.

A related science known as information theory was developed about the same time by other American mathematicians. It dealt with the mathematical laws that deal with communication. Both of them have played an important part in the development of computer science, biochemistry and psychology.

Previous Menu: Human Behaviour Next: Psychology

Next Topic:Semantics