CALL FOR PAPERS

 

11th Annual International Conference 

The Society For Chaos Theory in Psychology & Life Sciences

 

Madison, WI, USA

August 3-6, 2001

 

 


An invitation is extended to all interested scholars to submit abstracts reporting work involving chaos theory, fractals, nonlinear dynamics, complexity, and related principles.  Submissions are solicited in research, theory, and application in any of the psychological and life sciences sub-disciplines.  Areas represented at recent conferences have included neuroscience, biology, medical research, economics, sociology, anthropology, physics, political science, psychology, organizations and management, education, art, philosophy, and literature. The program will include single papers, symposia, and roundtable or other special sessions. Subject matter may be theoretical or applied, and may be empirically or methodologically oriented.

 

THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE THEME

 

Simulating and Visualizing Complex Systems

 

We especially encourage submissions aligned with this year’s conference theme.  One stream of research that has been particularly active is that of agent-based (object-oriented) simulation, whereby humans (or groups) are characterized by intelligent agents.  These agents have the capability to learn, plan, search, perform tasks, and communicate, but are also constrained by bounded rationality.  Pertinent research issues include the modeling of human cognition, communication, symbolic manipulation (problem solving), and methodological issues such as validation and performance analysis.  Related work involves cellular automata to study complex physical and social systems.  In addition to using the computer to simulate complexity, researchers have also shown great interest in using the computer to visualize complexity.  Relevant research issues include the visualization of fractals, using color and space to denote dynamical behavior, various pattern recognition tools such as recurrence plots, and the cognitive response of humans to such visualizations.

 

Following our lead from last year, the conference will also have two to three guest speakers and a brainstorming session on the current state and future of the society and nonlinear science in general.    We also strongly encourage collections of individuals to propose symposia that combine individual presentations with group and roundtable discussion. 

 

 

Friday night Keynote speaker will be:

J. BARKLEY ROSSER

Dr. Rosser is a Professor of Economics and the

Kirby L. Kramer Jr. Professor at James Madison University.  He will be discussing

“The Complexities of Complex Economic Systems”.

 

The application of complex nonlinear dynamics in economics is seen as a special case of the more general multidisciplinary development of such ideas.  Arising from bifurcation theory and more general problems of nonlinear oscillations, complex dynamics have arguably evolved through four stages, the "four C's" of cybernetics, catastrophe theory, chaos theory, and complexity theory.  We distinguish between "broad tent complexity" which includes all four and "narrow tent complexity" which is the latest stage which focuses on models of dispersed, heterogeneous agents who act upon each other locally to bring about larger scale emergent ordered structures.  Examples of applications of all these stages in economics will be considered and their relations to applications in other disciplines as well.

 

Saturday night Banquet speaker will be:

STEPHEN GUASTELLO

Dr. Guastello is one of the earliest members of the Society,

Editor of our journal Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, & Life Sciences,

and a leading expert on catastrophe theory.  He will be discussing

“20 years of Nonlinear Dynamics in Organizations”

 

The year 2001 marks the 20th anniversary of the first journal article where principles of nonlinear dynamics were applied to phenomena in organizational psychology. This presentation highlights the landmarks in theories of organizational development, work motivation and personnel selection, creativity, coordination in work teams, leadership emergence, work performance in hierarchies, and strategic management. The accuracy associated with empirical results supporting nonlinear theories is approximately double the accuracy associated with linear theories. Together we will explore the ever-growing frontiers of nonlinear dynamics applications.

 

We will also have a plenary session by:

CLINT SPROTT

Dr. Sprott is a Physics Professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison,

author of the “Chaos Data Analyzer” software, and an expert

at visualization of complex systems.  He will be discussing

“Can a Monkey with a Computer Create Art?

 

While studying chaotic dynamical systems, I inadvertently generated a few million fractal images, called strange attractors.  These images were selected by the computer from among a few billion cases that were analyzed.  I showed a few thousand of these to about a dozen artists and scientists who evaluated them aesthetically.  From that I discovered a strong correlation between their aesthetic quality and mathematical properties such as fractal dimension and Lyapunov exponent.  Then I was able to train the computer to be even more selective and to produce thousands of images, all different, and most which are aesthetically appealing.  I will describe the process and show examples of the images produced in this way and will even produce some new ones during the talk.

 

 

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

 

August 2 (Thursday)      Early arrival day.

August 3 (Friday)           Registration, Dynamics for Dummies Workshop (Fred Abraham), and

Opening Ceremonies with Guest Speaker J. Barkley Rosser

August 4 (Saturday)       Conference Day 1, Banquet with Guest Speaker Stephen Guastello

August 5 (Sunday)         Conference Day 2

August 6 (Monday)        Business Meeting (morning), An Introduction to Complexity Science for Organizational Researchers Workshop (Kevin Dooley), Nonlinear Perspectives on Rhythm, Chaos, and Control in Human Biology:A Discussion of Theories and Methods Workshop (Robert Porter & Susan Mirrow)

August 7 (Tuesday)        Departure day

 

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

 

May 4   SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS

(Accepted abstract’s authors will be contacted on or before May 18)

July 3    Registration for all speakers is required. All lodging requests must be received (It’s hard to guarantee rooms after this date).  After this date, the hotel may not be able to give the conference rate.

July 6    Drop dead date for speakers to register.  After this date your abstract may be dropped from the program.

July 20  Last day for early registration.  At-door rates apply. Registration cancellations refunded only to 50%; memberships not refundable.

Aug 3    The show begins!

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS

 

Submissions should include the title of the presentation, the names and affiliations of all authors, and a SHORT abstract (200 –250 words). 

All abstracts MUST be submitted in publishable, electronic form, either as ASCII email enclosures or as WORD or WORDPERFECT attachments.  Please facilitate review of your abstract by:

 

1                     DO NOT include diagrams, graphics, or special fonts, as these cannot be printed in the program. If figures or math text are needed for proper evaluation of proposal, send abstract by FAX instead; see below.

 

2                     If you are using WORD or WORDPERFECT, TRY TO AVOID submissions with hard carriage returns at the end of lines in the body of the abstract (We will have to remove them manually, one at a time!).  Use returns only at paragraph breaks.

 

3                     DO INCLUDE your address, phone/fax number, and email address for notification regarding the status of your submission.

 

4.                    PLEASE INCLUDE notation of any special audio or visual needs.  Standard overhead projectors will be available.  Unusual equipment is difficult and expensive to obtain, so review your needs carefully.

 

5.                    PLEASE USE the sample, below, as a guide.

 

6.                    PLEASE avoid special formatting, extensive reference lists, etc.  ALL abstracts will be converted to the form and format shown in the sample before they are published on the web site and in the Conference Program.

 

 

 

 

 

SAMPLE ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

 

TITLE: Applications of “chaos theory” in the study of really interesting stuff.

 

AUTHORS & AFFILIATIONS: A. Tractor, Department of Interesting Stuff University of Everything, City, Country, Postal Code.

And

L. Sighcle, Department of Related Stuff, Research Place, City, Country, Postal Code.

 

ABSTRACT: We report results of a two-year study of the fluctuations in several interesting variables.  Of particular interest are the relation between several of the variables and several of the others.  Our analysis suggests that the relation of variables may be understood as reflecting the operation of a nonlinear, complex system.  Several suggestions about the dynamics of this system as well as implications for further study will be discussed.  (Research supported, in part, by the National Institute of Interesting Stuff).

 

CONTACT INFORMATION Lymet Sighcle, Ph.D., Department of Related Stuff, Research Place City/State, Country, Postal Code. Voice phone: 999-999-9999, Ext. 99; email: lsighcle@researchplace.com

 

AUDIO VISUAL NEEDS: VHS Videotape

 

 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

 

The deadline for submission of abstracts is:

 

Friday, May 4, 2001.

 

SUBMIT ABSTRACTS, ELECTRONICALLY, TO:

 

kevin.dooley@asu.edu

 

Please Remember that your abstract can be most easily and accurately processed if you send them in plain text, or WORD, or WORDPERFECT formats, without special formatting and without carriage returns in the body of the abstract. See Instructions, above.

 

 

 

LOCATION & ACCOMMODATIONS

 

The 11th Annual International Conference of the Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology & Life Sciences will be held at University of Wisconsin, Madison. The Grainger Hall facilities offer comfortable meeting rooms and spacious facilities for reception and self-organized discussions.  It is located at 975 University Avenue.  Hotel accommodations this year have been arranged through the HOWARD JOHNSON’S PLAZA HOTEL, which is located three blocks away from Grainger Hall. The HJ PLAZA was rated as the 1998 Hotel of the Year out of 570 HJ Hotels. Hotel room rates, which start below $89 include access to the indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and transportation to the Madison (Dane County) Airport. The Hotel also operates a shuttle service to UW buildings for those who need the assistance. Rooms with data ports are available upon request.

 

Registration Fees: The [early] registration fee for this conference will be US$145 for regular members, US$100 for students, and $200 for non‑members until July 8, 2001.  After July 8, the door‑registration rates of $170/125/225 apply. The Banquet dinner on Saturday August 4, as well as refreshments, is included with your registration. Special: This year you can bring a non‑member spouse to the conference at a special discount rate. To avoid confusion, the non‑member spouse must register at the same time as the member.

 

With Membership: Principal papers of this conference will be published in Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology & Life Sciences conditional on arrangements with authors (see below). A subscription to NDPLS is one of the benefits of membership in SCTPLS. To become a member, use the Conference Registration Form (next Newsletter) or the membership form that is currently located on the SCTPLS Web site http://www.societyforchaostheory.org  ASCII copies may be obtained from Mary Ann Metzger, secretary <metzger@umbc.edu>.

 

 

In addition to submitting an abstract, you may wish to consider the following invitation from our Journal editor.

 

An Invitation to All SCTPLS ‘01 Speakers

 

On behalf of the Society I am inviting all SCTPLS ‘01 speakers to submit papers based on their conference presentations for review pursuant to publication its research journal, Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology and Life Sciences.  NDPLS is a forum for the publication of peer-reviewed original papers that augment the fundamental ways in which we understand, describe, and predict nonlinear dynamical phenomena in psychology, the life, and social sciences. “Nonlinear  Dynamics” for purposes of the journal purview refers to a group of mathematical concepts that includes (but it not limited to) attractors, bifurcations, chaos, catastrophes, fractals, solitons, cellular automata, evolutionary computations, and processes of self-regulation.  Regarding format, any submitted version of your paper will need to be in standard manuscript form. We use American Psychological Association (APA) style, if you are familiar with that. Format details and other information about NDPLS can be found on the Society website. In all cases, we can only publish manuscripts that have not been published already, and are not under consideration by any other journal. This is, of course, a familiar boundary condition.

 

I look forward to seeing you all in Madison.

 

Sincerely,

Stephen J. Guastello, Ph.D.

Editor in Chief, NONLINEAR DYNAMICS, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LIFE SCIENCES

Dept. Psychology, Marquette University

P. O. Box 1881 Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881 USA.

 

 

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