Drilldown: //Grand Framework 0.1.0/Cliome/Meme/Noam/Upsilon
Upsilon is a short path from awareness to response selection
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Attributes
| Attribute | Value | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | NoamFramework | ||
| Name | Upsilon | ||
| Type | Property | ||
| Symbol | υ | ||
| Namespace | GrandFramework_0_1_0.Cliome.Meme.Upsilon | ||
| Version | 0.1.0 | ||
| Description |
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| Example | ξ →ο υ | ||
| Navigation | Drilldown: //Grand Framework 0.1.0/Cliome/Meme/Noam/Upsilon |
Properties
Child: Omicron
Specific Classes
In brief
Symbol system
υ
Details
The noam model is essentially triangular (drawn inversely) with the three points being situational awareness (iota), values (nu) and potential responses (kappa). There are a set of relationships between these points.
nu and iota is pi, the measure of satisfaction or dissatisfaction
nu and kappa is tau, the motivation to act
iota and kappa is upsilon, an instruct which forms a direct link from awareness to selected action
The oblique back-slash and slash represent pi and tau , and the interrelationship between them (xi) links dissatisfaction to motivation. Consequently, xi presents an indirect link from iota to kappa (taking in the nu values). This is an iterative cycle in the framework which can be reduced a simpler model that resembles the more traditional behavioural view of stimus-response. The upsilon property links iota and kappa and is more direct than the whole cycle. It is given by the top-edge of the inverted triangle, connecting the two points by a bow.
The difference between upsilon and the behaviourists S-R is that:
- Upsilon is between awareness (iota) to potential response (kappa), rather than stimulus from the environment (sigma) and kinetic response (rho). Consequently upsilon takes into consideration internal states and participates in the decision to invoke a particular behaviour.
- Upsilon is a link that is built upon values. this represented by the bow between the points bending down to the nu point. S-R does not consider values; it would be represented by a straight line.
- Upsilon can be thought of as relating to a belief system: the belief that a situation calls for chosing a particular response. The connection can be somewhere between a reflex and complex statute constructed by legal processes. S-R is not usually thought of as a belief.
- Upsilon can arise by other means than conditioning, such as verbally accepted rule goverend behaviour such as a ply.
This is a purpose based model not a one of psychology or neuro-anatomy. Arguing how stimulus actually invokes response would be somewhat distracting to that purpose. Notably, in this model, the evaluation cycle can be performed pre-consciously, or though painstaking methodological deliboration. This resembles system 1 and system 2. It could be that upsilon is a shortcut or a shortcircuit.
It could be shortcircuit that bypasses the evaluation cycle – ie. a conditioned reflex rather than a considered response. The shortcut might be effective most of the time, but it could be that the reflex is producing a behaviour in accordance with the link but not of the value. This would be a kind of “being on auto-pilot” mindlessness.
It could be that the full cycle is invoked albit rapidly and unconsciously thereby looking like reflex, but in reality the person has mastered the evaluation cycle to the point of virtuosity. This would be more akin to flow, or the Zen idea of mu shin no shin, or “mind without mind” (very much in difference to mindlessness).
Upsilon is an instruct – an internal structure of belief: a rule. It is of the abstract conditional form
‘If aware of a certain situation, then elect to invoke a certain response’.
An example as a propositional sentence might be ‘when it is raining, carry an umbrella’. Note that
- this format is a conditional and is “true” whether it is raining or not, or for that matter if it never rains. Were it the case that awareness of rain, then it would trigger the rule, resulting in taking an umbrella.
- the rule is still “true” whether the means are there or not. Upsilon links to the “mission” – what to do in the 3M model, and says nothing about knowing how to do it, nor having possession of the resources. Not having access to an umbrella (materiel), or not knowing how to put one up, does not invalidate the rule, but rather would either necessitate aquisitional engagement of getting an umbrella, finding another solution for keeping dry, staying in, or enduring the frustration of getting wet.
- the instruct itself does not express values, they are more or less implied (as the bow symbol). The instruct might even be decoupled from values whereupon blindly obaying the rule could produce conflict.
- it does not necessitate a priori causal knowledge: the reason why a particular choice is appropriate. It is not essential to know the laws of physics, or for that matter, that the water-proof canvas deflects falling water away from you, to have behaviour governed, or informed, by this rule. The reasons may be obvious, or could be figured out (possibly to an erronious conclusion) pre or post-rationally, but they are not necessity in applying the rule.
Upsilon, as rule that can be expressed in propositional logic, is not fully formed but rather has deletions – missing parts of a well-formed deep structure. The fuller expression would include more anticedent factors of the template
‘If have awareness of situation, and have value, and have means, then select action’
There are numerous paraphrases of the example, but the gist is:
‘If you are aware that it is raining, and you value not getting wet, and you have an umbrella, and know how to use it then take that umbrella with you and use it’
; belief (can be derieved from causal beliefs)
from instruction, reasoning, learning, conditioning, reinforcement
walking the talk, dont do as I do, belief of others or self (sigma and nu contingent)
Relation of other framework elements
Examples
{law, science, sales (direct, mlm), PR, military, thermostat, environmentalism, the cat sat on the mat}
Application
Related Issues
Versioning and change-log
Origin and history
Current version
NoamFramework 0.1.0
The top part edge of the inverted noam triangle links stimulus sigma (σ) to response rho (ρ) and is denoted in the model as upsilon (υ). It is the connection of the pattern of input taken in by the senses, to the eventual pattern of behavioural output; the interfaces to the outside world.
Old school behaviourism has had plenty to say about stimulus-response and uses the principle of conditioning to establish the link. Pavlov and his dog discovered this. A direct link of conditioning from stimulus to response might be denoted by a hyphen:
So, ρーσ
But the noam model does not assume this link to be straight, but rather to have some indirection associated with values and other components of the noam model. Hence, it uses a curved line to say such:
So, ρ◡σ
This coincidental resemblance to upsilon symbolism is to suggest that both sigma and rho are related in the “V” by pi and tau; pi and tau are related by xi in the “∀”; and xi, via omicon, gives rise to upsilon. All seems like a complicated way of saying a simple thing, but really here I am dealing with a structural issue of noams which marks them out from other models and will be dealt with in other posts. Consequently, upsilon indicates a link between stimulus and response, which is weighted by values. In other words, our actions are not only a result of sensory input but are influenced by what is important to us. Upsilon also gives us a richer model of learning not featured in conditioning, as it embraces contentment and motivation components.
What would Softmint have to say about all this? Well, cats don’t like to be thirsty but do like cream (nu), so a thirsty cat (sigma) would be discontent (pi) when presented with a saucer of cream (sigma), would be motivated (tau) to drink it (rho). Given the cream, it would lap it up, but we can see that in this scenario that the response is not only governed by the stimulus, it is also guided by values. Hence, the indirectness of upsilon.
There are some additional points in a later post regarding behavioural repertoire and opportunity and learning which will give more of a sense of completeness to this model.