Self-regulation theory

SELF REGULATION is also an unconscious process that the body uses to grow and remain within operating parameters. If the norm is disturbed then the tendency is for corrective action to take place. For instance if you are too hot you perspire; if you run your heart beats faster; if an irritant enters your nose you sneeze. This also functions emotionally and mentally in a similar way. Trauma can interfere with this life process and, if we are unable to experience or deal with the trauma properly, a restriction is imposed on our ability to operate in that area or move/think/feel in a particular way. As these build up during our life we become separated more and more from our original 'life plan' and so we find ourselves living an unhealthy lifestyle and unable to relate properly with others. A group of people working together discovered that it is possible to allow this process, which is usually largely unconscious, to break through more fully to conscious action. Thus encouraging that part of ourselves, which is aware of our life plan and the traumas, to resolve the interfering patterns and allow us to work towards our original goal.

Because this is a natural process past cultures have used it in various ways, and it can be seen functioning in such practices as Seitai in Japan, Subud in Indonesia and Shaktipat in India. An early experimenter in the West was Anton Mesmer, and in recent times Wilhelm Reich actively used the approach with patients. Carl Jung wrote about it extensively as did Dr. J. A. Hadfield in Dreams and Nightmares. Both Jung and Hadfield saw dreaming as a prime example of psychological self-regulation. This psychological self-regulation in dreaming occurs when we have relinquished the conscious control of our mind and body. Then the dream process brings about spontaneous movement, imagination, emotions, speech and sexual experience, some of which is blocked from being expressed externally while we dream by an area of the brain (the pons). Allowing this process to express while awake means we need to learn how to let go of our usual control. We are used to doing this with heartbeat and perspiring, but not with more unusual spontaneous movement and fantasy, so it is a learned skill. Because allowing this process to emerge means relinquishing conscious control it may cause some people anxiety at first, it can be frightening to relinquish conscious control and allow spontaneous movement/feeling/thought to occur. This is because some parts of our nature that are usually repressed or denied are allowed to express, and, in our society these are parts often judged as irrational, anti social or crazy. Other cultures may revere the wisdom that arises in this way as they are less inhibited. Recent research into how the brain works has suggested this type of experience is a right brain activity, which in most western adults is subordinate to the rational, verbal and focused here and now awareness, whereas the right brain is more inclusive of non-verbal and 'big picture' perceptions.

Experience has shown that by allowing ourselves space and time in a safe environment and holding the attitude of surrender, then healing at a very deep level is possible. This is no quick fix, it is an ongoing process that will enrich your life and enable you to relate better with yourself and others. More information on this process, which has been called by several names, is available at: [http://www.dreamhawk.com/sr.htm] , at this site it is called Relaxation Therapy.

Self-Regulation Theory or SRT is a system of conscious personal health management. Although a doctor may give a patient sound medical advice, the theory states that only with self-regulation will the patient appropriately implement that advice. For medical treatment to be effective, the patient needs to be interested in improving their own health.

SRT consists of several stages. First, the patient deliberately monitors one's own behavior, and evaluates how this behavior affects one's health. If the desired effect is not realized, the patient changes personal behavior. If the desired effect is realized, the patient reinforces the effect by continuing the behavior. (Kanfer 1970;1971;1980)

Another approach is for the patient to realize a personal health issue and understand the factors involved in that issue. The patient must decide upon an action plan for resolving the health issue. The patient will need to deliberately monitor the results in order to appraise the effects, checking for any necessary changes in the action plan. (Leventhal & Nerenz 1984)

Outside of health management, self-regulation theory is used to explain the cognitive bias known as illusion of control. To the extent that people are driven by internal goals concerned with the exercise of control over their environment, they will seek to reassert control in conditions of chaos, uncertainty or stress. Failing genuine control, one coping strategy will be to fall back on defensive attributions of control—leading to illusions of control (Fenton-O'Creevy et al, 2003).

Another factor that can help the patient reach his/her own goal of personal health is to relate to the patient the following: Help them figure out the personal/community views of the illness, appraise the risks involved, and give them potential problem-solving/coping skills. These factors can help the patient modify their behavior through internal motivation as opposed to motivation from the health care provider (external motivation).

References

* Fenton-O’Creevy, M., Nicholson, N. and Soane, E., Willman, P. (2003) "Trading on illusions: Unrealistic perceptions of control and trading performance." "Journal of Occupational and Organisational Psychology" 76, 53-68.
* Kanfer 1970;1971;1980huh
* Leventhal & Nerenz 1984huh!

ee also

* Illusion of control