Content area
Full Text
Keywords Psychology, Cybernetics
Abstract This paper reviews the contributions of Gordon Pash, cybernetician, to the discipline of psychology as a methodologist and as a theoretician. Pask was prolific in many fields but especially so in psychology both as an innovative experimenter and an innovative theorist Over four decades, Pask carried out experimental studies of learning, problem solving and decision making, often using sophisticated computer-based environments. These latter, in turn, inspired the design of teaching machines and learning environments with practical applications in education and training. Pask's theorizing while addressing detailed methodological and conceptual issues was also holistic and uni6ing in intent, not least in his proposals for rapprochements between process, individual and social psychologies.
Introduction
Gordon Pask was internationally known as a cybernetician. He was known as one of the founding fathers of the discipline. His commitment and contributions to cybernetics are well documented and well attested (Scott, 1980, 1982, 1993; Glanville, 1993). Indeed, among his peers in cybernetics he was known as the cybernetician's cybernetician (Beer, 1993; von Foerster, 1993). In holding true to the vision of cybernetics as a transdiscipline, one that brings order to and unifies other disciplines, Pask well recognised that the cybernetician should also be a practitioner of significance within at least one other discipline. In other words, the generalist should pursue at least one specialism and should do so successfully. This serves two purposes: the person committed to cybernetics is shown not to be a mere dilettante and, in so far as he applies cybernetic concepts and methods in his work within a specialist discipline (or disciplines), he is providing publicly available evidence of the usefulness of adopting a cybernetic approach within that discipline.
Pask was naturally holistic in his thinking. If you like, he was a "born" cybernetician but he also respected the specialist knowledge and expertise that is required for successful practice within a particular discipline. Pask was an effective and versatile learner. He could readily get to grips with complex bodies of knowledge and associated methodologies. In that respect he was a true polymath. He could interact knowledgeably and constructively with practitioners in many disciplinary areas. He had early interests in geology and mining engineering. His medical studies provided knowledge and expertise in biochemistry, physiology...