INFORMATION INPUT OVERLOAD AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

TLDR

Cross‑level generalization in behavioral science is rarely considered, yet comparable performance curves have been found at neurophysiological, group, and individual levels, indicating that similar systems properties are being rediscovered under different names. The study proposes that information input overload may produce similar performance curves and mobilize comparable defenses across all levels, potentially explaining psychopathology in everyday life and clinical practice.

Abstract

Although more than a thousand related articles were reviewed in our literature survey, no references were ever found in them or in their bibliographies crossing from one level, say the neurophysiology of the cell, to another, such as group psychology. In one article an offhand suggestion was found that such generalization might be possible, but it was apparent that in present-day behavioral science cross-level similarities are rarely considered and general systems properties seldom taken into account. This, despite the fact that at all levels comparable performance curves have been discovered. Since such general systems characteristics are not sought, the same phenomenon, with different names, different dimensions and units, is being discovered over and over again at different levels. Known for many years in neurophysiology, it is only recently being recognized at the individual level. Yet it is probable that, if information input overload causes similar performance curves and mobilization of comparable defenses at all levels of behaving systems, it can explain some of the psychopathology of everyday life and clinical practice.