A multi-systems theory of the structure and dynamics of motor functions

A theoretical analysis of the structure and dynamics of human motor functioning is presented from the perspective of a general theory of individuality. Within multifactor-systems theory, the structural units of the six systems of integrative personality (i.e., sensory, motor, cognitive, affect, style, and value) are hierarchical factor structures. Integrative functioning, both within and among systems, is described via the principles of general systems and information-processing theory. Our theoretical synthesis of the structure and dynamics of human motor functioning involves conceptualizing the hierarchy of motor factors as: (a) the basic dimensions of individual differences in the motor domain, (b) classes of decomposable motor programs that specify the spatio-temporal organization of behavior, and (c) decomposable classes of processing components entailed by motor programs. Some of the implications for understanding the role of affect in motor functioning and some research suggestions were presented.     

The Gender Wage Gap: An Explanation of Men’s Elevated Wage Entitlement

Perceptions of wage entitlement differ between women and men such that men are more likely to feel worthy of higher pay. Based on a combination of status-related theories and evidence from two studies of 120 undergraduate men, we examined men’s reactions to gendered threats to their task abilities. When told that women typically outperform men, men responded with elevated projections of their own competence without reducing their self-pay. These effects were not related to endorsements of masculinity ideology. Instead, exaggerated competence was related to individual men’s heightened legitimate entitlement, and resistant high self-pay was linked to narcissistic entitlement. These patterns demonstrate that what appears to be a gender-based phenomenon is explained more accurately by men’s internalized status beliefs.     

Teoría multifactorial-sistemática—exposición sucinta—

RESUMEN

Los autores esbozan su Teoría Multifactorial Sistemática, que presenta una concepción general de la estructura, dinámica y desarrollo de las diferencias individuales en la personalidad integradora. Se analiza la estructura y dinámica de la individualidad desde el marco conceptual del procesamiento de la información, en el cual la personalidad -o el sistema psicológico total- viene a ser concebida como un compuesto jerárquico organizado de seis sistemas en interacción: sensorial, motor, cognitivo, afectivo, estilos y valores. Para ello comienzan con algunos comentarios acerca del modelo factorial y el de sistemas, describiendo seguidamente su concepción actual de “estructura”, “dinámicas” y “desarrollo” de la individualidad. A continuación se ocupan del significado de la interacción herencia-ambiente y persona-situación, y finalizan discutiendo problemas empíricos y teóricos no resueltos y las implicaciones de su teoría.     

Salvation through Relaxation: Proprioceptive Therapy and its Relationship to Yoga

Relaxation constitutes a primary feature of yoga as it is taught in the West today. However, typical modern practices have no precedent in the pre-modern yoga tradition, but derive largely from techniques of proprioceptive relaxation developed in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Europe and America. These techniques (along with their assumptions of the soteriological value of relaxation) in turn alter the theory and praxis of yoga itself, such that its fundamental enterprise is significantly modified. Does a transformation constitute a development or merely a corruption of the yoga tradition? This article considers the extent to which Modern Yoga fills the cultural space once occupied by ‘relaxationism’.