PSI: Personality System-Interaction Theory
Kuhl's (University of Osnabrück) PSI theory describes in the action control model four central brain systems that are essential for action regulation and thus individual goal achievement.
Our brain is very complex and equipped with a multitude of different individual functions, most of which are distributed across various brain areas. Nevertheless, there are networks that perform very specific functions. To make this complexity somewhat more comprehensible, we have simplified the processes and focus here on the cooperation of four very central functional areas in your brain that illustrate the process of processing and learning. Sustainable learning and resulting action are only possible if your two brain hemispheres work smoothly together, enabling the four major areas of intuitive behavior regulation, object recognition, holistic processing, and strategic networks to function.
Your left brain hemisphere processes information mainly step-by-step, one after the other. In the left hemisphere, numbers, symbols, letters, and facts are primarily processed. The right hemisphere, on the other hand, can process many different pieces of information simultaneously and thus very quickly. It is specialized in processing extensive and complex information, such as images, music, or experiences from the environment, at the same time.
The yellow system: The inner manager (extension memory)
This system includes all neural networks in our brain that can process in parallel, i.e., are designed to take in and process multiple pieces of information simultaneously. In this system, you have an overview, and your mood is characterized by calmness.
This system can be understood as a control center for your past life experiences. It stores knowledge about your own wishes and needs, as well as about your social environment. This system enables you to answer the question of the 'meaning' of what you learn. If you fail to activate this yellow system, the inner manager, the sense of learning is missing, and thus the sustainability of learning success is compromised.
The blue system: The inner controller (object recognition system)
This system encompasses networks that operate discrepancy-sensitively, focusing on detecting inconsistencies. It can be understood as the mismatch detector in our brain. Your mood related to this brain area is inconsistent.
Here you control your actions and plans, and this is where your error analysis takes place. The blue system shows you any discrepancies from the 'norm' that you have developed based on your previous experience. The inner controller can prevent you from implementing new knowledge if it is not sufficiently integrated.
The red system: The inner planner (intentions memory)
This system includes all functional areas that process more sequentially, step by step.
This part of your brain is where conscious thinking and planning occur. Here, you are able to develop detailed work plans and action steps before implementing them. This system requires a lot of effort and is heavily involved whenever you acquire 'new knowledge.' Your mood in this brain area is characterized by factual sobriety.
Whether 'new knowledge' can be sustainably absorbed depends on how well the connection between the red system, the inner planner, and the yellow system, the inner manager, functions.
The green system: The inner doer (intuitive behavior regulation system)
This system includes all networks that operate automatically and intuitively.
This part of your brain contains your intuitive behavior regulation. This system becomes active as soon as you can actually apply newly learned knowledge. Your mood in this area is positive, full of joy.
The more you use this system, the stronger the network becomes, i.e., the stability of what you've learned. You also gain the ability to turn the new knowledge into a routine, allowing you to access this knowledge effortlessly. This enables you to act easily.
