General Systems Theory

Question 1

Ludwig von bertalanffy

Answer 1

believed that a common framework could allow scientists from different disciplines to communicate better and build upon each others work

Question 2

General systems theory

Answer 2

explains how discrete variables affect the whole, and how the whole affects each part

based on the idea there are universal principles of organization governing systems

Question 3

system

Answer 3

goal directed unit made up of interdependent parts that interact and endure over time

Question 4

structure of a system

Answer 4

arrangement and organization among the parts of the system

Question 5

function of a system

Answer 5

to convert or process energy, information, or other materials into a product or outcome for use within the system or outside the system or both

Question 6

hierarchy of systems

Answer 6

describes the universe in which a system resides and needs to be examined over time in order to understand the system; cannot function in a vacuum and each higher level unit contains lower-level systems

Question 7

target or focal system

Answer 7

system being studied at that particular time

Question 8

suprasystem

Answer 8

larger environmental systems of which the focal system is a part

Question 9

subsystem

Answer 9

smaller subunits or subcomponents of the focal system

Question 10

boundaries

Answer 10

lines of demarcation between a system and environment

Represent the interface or point of contact between the system and its subsystems and suprasystems

Boundaries must be permeable; allows for interchange of energy between the system and its environment

Examples: healthy, limited non-existent, loose or porous, and rigid

Question 11

types of systems

Answer 11

open

closed

Question 12

open system

Answer 12

interacts with the environment

capable of growth, development and adaptation

interaction is necessary for survival

Question 13

closed system

Answer 13

isolated from the environment

fixed, automatic, relationships among system components

little opportunity for growth

Question 14

principles of open systems

Answer 14

All systems respond as a whole

Parts of the system are interconnected

Ripple effect

Nonsummativity

cause and effects are interchangeable

Question 15

ripple effect

Answer 15

change in one part of the system affects the remainder of the system

Question 16

nonsummativity

Answer 16

the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

No part acts without consequences for other parts

Holism: Impacts not only the system, but subsystem and environment

Question 17

input

Answer 17

boundaries allow the exchange of information, energy and resources into the system

energy and raw material that is transformed by the system

resources used in the environment to maintain system and produce outputs

ex: information, money, raw materials

Question 18

boundary control

Answer 18

the degree of exchange regulates the amount and type of input from the environment at any time enabling the system to maintain equilibrium

Question 19

throughput

Answer 19

process used by the system to convert raw materials or energy (inputs) from the environment into products or services that are usable by either the system itself or the environment

Examples: critical thinking, physical examination of patients, planning, and decision making

Question 20

output

Answer 20

product or service which results from the system’s throughput or processing of technical, social, financial, or human input

Products which an open system releases into the environment

Can re-enter the system in a new form as input

Question 21

feedback

Answer 21

the output that is available to the system in ways that allow it to maintain a steady state of functioning
System adjusts internally by modification of the subsystems and externally by controlling its boundaries

Question 22

feedback loop

Answer 22

path along which information can be traced from one point in a system, through one or more other parts of the system or its environment, and back to ts point of origin

positive feedback loop: promotes change

negative feedback loop: linked to homeostatic system; it provides information that returns the system to some preset level and reduce deviation causes to the system

Question 23

energy

Answer 23

e fuel that allows the system to meet its demands

Amount is governed by the rate of utilization of the energy within the system itself

entropy and negentropy

Question 24

entropy

Answer 24

process of energy depletion and disorganization that moves the system toward chaos

Question 25

negentropy

Answer 25

process of energy utilization that assists system progression toward stability and promotes order in the system

Question 26

equilibrium

Answer 26

a balance between negentropy and entropy

Dynamic and always changing state

Achieved through feedback

Results from self-regulation or adaptation

Question 27

homeostasis

Answer 27

a state of balance between the parts of the system which living systems sought after

Parts may be disrupted by action from within or without

Question 28

What are the factors that the homeostatic system adapts to?

Answer 28

Growth and development increases a systems ability to adapt

Too much flexibility can lead to instability and disruption of functioning

Question 29

differentiation

Answer 29

tendency of a system to actively grow and advance to a higher order of complexity and organization; balance is needed between stability and change in order for a system to grow and differentiate

Question 30

equifinality

Answer 30

the same endpoint can be reached from a number of starting points; an open system can maintain a steady state by several different means

Question 31

goal of systems

Answer 31

overall purpose for existence of the system or the desired outcomes of system interaction

Reason for being

Usually found in the mission statement