PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze how pattern recognition can contribute to the behavioral options of a goal‐oriented system.Design/methodology/approachA functional approach is used to develop the necessary cybernetic structures of a pattern recognition unit that can store observations as new standards for pattern matching by itself and can later apply them to recognize patterns in incoming sensor data.FindingsCombining such a structure for pattern recognition with a feedback system shows that the resulting system can only deal with known patterns. To deal with novel patterns this structure has to be added to an adaptive system that can develop system‐specific behavior. Such a system has to able to initiate a trial and error process to test new behavior towards new patterns and to evaluate its effect on the highest, existential goal‐values of the system.Practical implicationsA system with a pattern recognition unit that can set new standards for pattern matching by itself is identified as the point of departure where not‐programmable and unpredictable individual behavior starts. Dealing with newly‐recognized pattern requires individual behavioral solutions and a system‐specific evaluation of the achieved results in relation to the highest goal‐values of the system. Here internal “emotional” criteria to select behavior emerge as a cybernetic necessity.Originality/valueThe paper is the third in a series of three on a cybernetic theory distinguishing system capable of pre‐programmed adaptation, system‐specific adaptation and learning. It determines the cybernetic starting point of individual psychology.