Source: wikibot/perceptual-control-theory
= Perceptual control theory
{wiki=Perceptual_control_theory}
Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) is a psychological framework developed by William T. Powers in the 1960s. It is rooted in systems theory and focuses on understanding behavior as a form of control rather than a direct response to stimuli. At its core, PCT posits that individuals act in ways that maintain certain perceptions within their desired levels, which Powers refers to as "reference levels.