Causal loops Chapter 1

Question 1

An arrow in a causal diagram represents a __________ physiological mechanism.

Answer 1

single, unique

Question 2

The variable at the arrowhead is the _______________ .

Answer 2

effect

Question 3

The variable at the tail of the arrow is the ______________.

Answer 3

cause

Question 4

A blue arrow (or – sign at the arrowhead) shows that the mechanism is ________________.

Answer 4

inhibitory to the effect

Question 5

A red arrow (or + at the arrowhead) shows that the mechanism is _________________.

Answer 5

excitatory to the effect

Question 6

The number of arrows connecting a given cause to one other effect will equal ______________.

Answer 6

the number of separate physiological mechanisms that apply

Question 7

If a continous, one way path exists from a variable back to itself, this path is called a____________.

Answer 7

feedback loop

Question 8

Consider that two blue arrows in series indicates inhibition of inhibition and this implies excitation.

Then a “blue loop” is a loop with an odd number of blue arrows in series and this sort of loop signifies ___________________.

Answer 8

Negative feedback (compensation for disturbances)