Income and Choice in Biological Control Systems: A Framework for Understanding the Function and Dysfunction of the Brain

This volume introduces the concepts of income and optimal choice to the realms of brain activity and behavior regulation. It begins by developing the concept of the Income-Choice approach in the field of biological control systems, then deals with the problems of control of brain activity, and finally presents a model of behavior disturbance based on the idea that its cause is a definite and simple change in the income system of the organism. Other areas to which the proposed Income-Choice approach could be applied are also addressed including the origin of the epileptic aura and why it is a predictor of the imminent attack, the mechanism of the phenomena of “personality switching” in schizophrenics, and the possible connection between schizophrenic- like symptoms and epileptic status. Written nearly 20 years ago in Russia and now published in the West, this book will be of value to many professionals in related fields. This volume introduces the concepts of income and optimal choice to the realm of brain activity and behavior regulation. It begins by developing the concept of the Income-Choice approach in the field of biological control systems, then deals with the problems of control of brain activity, and finally presents a model of behavior disturbance based on the idea that its cause is a definite and simple change in the income system of the organism. Other areas to which the proposed Income-Choice approach could be applied are also addressed, including the origin of the epileptic aura and why it is a predictor of the would-be attack, the mechanism of the phenomena of “personality switching” in schizophrenics, and the possible connection between schizophrenic- like symptoms and epileptic status. Originally written nearly 20 years ago in Russia and now published for the first time in the West, this book will be of value to many professionals in related fields.