Systems Thinking Flashcards
What is Holism?
Recognition that a system is more that the sum of its parts, and understanding the interactions and relationships among those parts
Citations for Holism
Wright (2011)
What is emergence?
Acknowledging that complex systems exhibit behaviors and properties that emerge from the interactions of their components, and cannot be solely explained by analyzing individual parts.
Citations for emergence
Novoa (2015)
What are feedback loops
Identifying and understanding the feedback loops within a system, which can be reinforcing (amplifying) or balancing (stabilizing), influencing the system’s behavior over time.
citation for feedback loops
Strahler (1980)
What is Causality?
Considering multiple causes and effects, recognizing that events and outcomes in a system are often interconnected and result from various factors.
Citation for Causality
Zhang (2023)
What are boundaries?
Defining clear boundaries for the system under consideration, recognizing what is included and excluded, and understanding how the system interacts with its environment.
Citation for boundaries
Prescott (2014)
What is non-linearity?
Acknowledging that the relationships within a system are often non-linear, meaning that small changes can lead to disproportionate or unexpected outcomes.
Citation for non-linearity?
phillips (2003)
Dynamics over Time
Emphasizing the temporal aspect of systems, understanding how the system evolves and changes over time, and considering historical patterns and trends.
Citations for dynamics over time
Plummer (2006)
Interconnectedness
Appreciating the interconnected nature of systems, where changes in one part of the system can have ripple effects throughout the entire system.
Spatial Elements
Geography focuses on the spatial aspects of the Earth’s surface, including physical features (landforms, climate, vegetation), human activities (settlements, transportation, agriculture), and the interactions between the two. These spatial elements are the components of the geographical system.