equilibration, mind, and brain: toward an integrated psychology

A multidisciplinary progression of Piaget’s equilibration, this major work depicts mind/brain as a regulator of equilibrating processes. Parkins describes the mind/brain in terms of information representation and processing requirements for learning-based control. He argues that the interaction of both naturomorphic and abstract forms of information representation and processing is essential for equilibration and therefore for mental health. Parkins goes on to consider a number of psychological processes in terms of his model and also interprets mental health and a number of disorders (schizophrenia, depression, epilepsy, and Parkinsonian disorders) in these terms. This work takes a significant step toward the development of a detailed integrated psychology. It meaningfully and systematically integrates observations and theories from a broad range of psychological disciplines in terms of one principle - equilibration.

Part I of Equilibration, Mind, and Brain elaborates on the concept of equilibration in terms of the representation and processing of information and the process of control. Parkins’ model is developed and involves both naturomorphic and abstract cognitive sub-systems. Parkins extensively reviews the structure, development, and functioning of the brain in Part II. He then relates this information to his model. In Part III various psychological processes and various aspects of psychological development are considered. These include: motivation and emotion; selective attention; imagination and thought; planning; sub-programming and skill acquisition. An integrated description of the development of mind/brain is then presented and mental health is considered in relation to this description. A number of mental illnesses are characterized in Part IV. They are then interpreted in terms of the equilibration model and treatment of these disorders is discussed. This uniquely detailed multidisciplinary work will be of particular value to developmental and cognitive psychologists, clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists.

E. J. PARKINS is a lecturer in the School of Education, University of Nottingham, England. Previous work includes employment as an educational psychologist in Local Education Authorities, and employment in a number of psychiatric units. He has published numerous articles and papers on equilibration and cognition and on the cognitive role of the cerebellum.