ABSTRACT
Control can be analyzed from a functionalist perspective if only because human survival requires extensive inanimate, biotic, and behavioral control. Very early in life humans come to have some fairly definite perceptions of control capacity, not just their own but also that of humans in general; and all goal-oriented behavior appears to require such perceptions. Perceived control capacity has various consequences beyond its impact on the extent of control attempts. Supernaturalism is a belief in the current, future, or previous existence of a supernatural being and/or a supernatural causal process. The causal relation has a quantum character, meaning that an enormous change in perceived control capacity is required for a discernible change in the amount of supernaturalism. When numerous students enroll in scientific courses, education ceases to be merely necessary for scientific activity; the educational process generates more scientific activity in the same sense that the training of lawyers is believed to generate litigation.
