Science is Beautiful*

Science is beautiful when it makes simple explanations of phenomena or connections between different observations. Examples include the double helix in biology and the fundamental equations of physics.

Steven Hawking

I have something beautiful to offer, not in Biology or in Physics, but in Psychology:

A General Theory of Behaviour.

It’s got harmony, synchronicity and zing, and it’s closely linked to the natural world. To be perfectly honest – it’s got me a little excited.

A General Theory of Behaviour is a whole new perspective on the Science of Psychology. The focus is psychological homeostasis, a seemingly ‘magical’ principle of revolutionary significance. This new focus has the potential to unify the disparate field of Psychological Science under a single umbrella. No theory did that before, which is why I’m a little excited.

Any theory that can make novel predictions that are confirmed by data is along the right lines. The original formulation of the theory includes 20 principles and 80 empirical propositions, all receiving strong empirical support (Marks, 2018). There is also huge potential to test many more novel predictions. That is rather beautiful! Independent commentators appear to agree:

Stevan Hobfoll, Rush University Medical Centre, himself a significant theorist, states:

Marks brings exceptional insights and a driving logic to bear to navigate through many fragmented theories of behaviour that are by their nature partial and limited.  It is not that these more fragmented theories are not often important, but that we need the grander theory to hold disparate ideas together.  Marks does so convincingly and in a way that is testable, refutable, and often even entertaining.

Henderikus J. Stam, Professor of Psychology at the University of Calgary, Founder & Editor Emeritus of the leading journal, Theory & Psychology, wrote:

A General Theory of Behavior is an innovative and promising new theory that integrates the long tradition of investigations on homeostasis with contemporary research in such diverse areas as emotion, addiction and sleep. A truly original and wide-ranging study of human nature, this book will be foundational for anyone who considers the importance of theory for modern psychology.

Amedeo D’Angiulli, Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Editor-in-Chief, of the main journal for studies on the human imagination, Imagination, Cognition and Personality, wrote:

Dear Professor Marks (David if I may) I re-read your paper on Brain Sciences I Am Conscious, Therefore, I Am: Imagery, Affect, Action, and a General Theory of Behavior, in the May 2019, issue of Brain Sciences and then I discovered your book on your General Theory through it, which I read just afterwards. Both are major contributions to psychology, but they also read like classics to me. They have a guiding vision forward…Congratulations.

Janine Crosbie, Psychology Lecturer, University of Salford, commented:

This inspiring book applies the seemingly simple biological concept of homeostasis to human behaviour.  There is beautiful historic detail about key researchers, whilst considering modern issues such as stress, lack of sleep and addiction. A compelling read, which feels like an engaging lecture, by a passionate and considered speaker.

David A Holmes, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Founder of the Forensic Research Group, Manchester, wrote:

In A General Theory of Behaviour, David Marks has applied scientifically established theory to conceptualize disparate areas of Psychology in a manner that both unifies and brings greater insight, establishing this book as a milestone text of the 21st century.

Scott Barry Kaufman, University of Pennsylvania, opined:

The field of psychology has many theories, but no General Theory. The unifying theory David Marks presents, along with the 20 principles, provide rich soil for further testing and opens up exciting avenues for psychology.

The General Theory appears to these independent experts be an inspiring milestone with a guiding vision forward. These comments are most encouraging and help to motivate me to persevere with the work. Thanks to all of the experts named above for your positive comments.

Life is short, there is a lot more work still to be done.

Thank you for your attention.

*Footnote: As everybody is aware, there are ugly sides to science – and scientists – as well, e.g. fraud, plagiarism, jealousy, rivalry, sheer nastiness, back stabbing and crass stupidity. A few such topics are featured on this site, to not be too ‘rose-tinted’ and to keep things in a bit more of a realistic perspective.