Nonlinear dynamics, a.k.a. "Chaos Theory," has been used successfully
to cast light on a wide range of complex systems, from the beating of
heart cells to global weather, where traditional linear approaches
have not provided much insight. Extending the success of the nonlinear
approach to a middle scale, the physiology and psychology of humans,
has been more difficult. I'll discuss some of the attempts to use dynamics
to characterize heart rate variability and some of the reasons why simple
linear analysis may often be the best way to study the nonlinear phenomena
of physiology and psychology.
Meet the speaker in Room 212 Cockins Hall at 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Dr. Kaplan is the
eighth annual Robert Wherry Lecturer. This speaker series focuses on
methodological issues in psychological research and honors Robert
Wherry, former Psychology Department Chair and prominent researcher in
quantitative and industrial/organizational psychology. The current
lecture is sponsored by the Robert Wherry Development Fund, the
Department of Psychology and the Department of Statistics.
