Systems Vocabulary

Question 1

Paradigm

Answer 1

A paradigm is a model, perspective, or set of ideas that form a worldview underlying the theories and methodology of a particular domain.

Question 2

Mechanistic Paradigm

Answer 2

The traditional paradigm in which the universe is seen as fixed, orderly, predictable, and deterministic. This paradigm has given rise to modern science.

Question 3

Systems Paradigm

Answer 3

A paradigm that characterized as being holistic, or referring to the whole system and environment. Enforces synthetic reasoning rather than analysis.

Question 4

Reductionism

Answer 4

Practice of analyzing and describing complex systems by breaking it down into its fundamental parts.

Question 5

Holism

Answer 5

Approach that emphasizes we understand the whole rather than individual parts in the system.

Question 6

Analysis

Answer 6

1. Isolate (Deconstruct into parts)
2. Understand the properties of the parts
3. Combine the parts back together to form the whole

Question 7

Synthesis

Answer 7

1. Identify the overall system or environment that the system belongs in.
2. Understand how the system functions through its network of connections
3. Understand how the parts are interconnected and arranged

Question 8

Emergence

Answer 8

A process in which novel features and properties emerge when we put elementary parts together

Question 9

Systems Hierarchy

Answer 9

Emergent pattern of organization where smaller subsystems form part of larger systems which in turn form part of larger supra systems.

Question 10

Relational Paradigm

Answer 10

Emphasizes how connections, interdependencies and context shape the component parts of the system.

Question 11

Interdependence

Answer 11

A type of connection or relation between elements in which elements come together, possible differentiating their states and creating some combined organization that is greater than any of the parts.

Question 12

Positive Synergy

Answer 12

When elements work together to create something that is greater than the sum of their parts.

Question 13

Negative Synergy

Answer 13

When elements work counteractive to each other to create something less than the sum of the individual parts.

Question 14

Causality

Answer 14

A relationship where a change in one thing causes a change in the other.

Question 15

Linear Causality

Answer 15

A sequential causality where a direct link between cause and effect can be drawn where there are often one or a limited number of causes

Question 16

Nonlinear Causality

Answer 16

Causality as a product on nonlinear bidirectional or multidirectional patterns where causality is the result of emergence.

Question 17

Process Thinking

Answer 17

A way of interpreting events in terms of the dynamic processes that create them.

Question 18

Open System

Answer 18

Open systems must adapt to changes in its environment.

Question 19

Complex System

Answer 19

A system that has many different parts that are highly interconnected and interdependent

Question 20

Self-Organization (Four Steps)

Answer 20

1. Initial Disorder
2. Peer Interaction
3. Feedback
4. Attractors

Question 21

Nonlinearity

Answer 21

1. Component combinations are more or less than simple additive functions
2. Effects feed back to affect the future state of the system

Question 22

Chaos Theory

Answer 22

Potential for widely divergent outcomes given a very small difference in the system’s input values

Question 23

Attractor

Answer 23

A state space representing all the possible states that the system might take

Question 24

Phase Transition

Answer 24

Small change in a quantitative input variable that results in an abrupt qualitative change

Question 25

Nature of Networks (4 Parts)

Answer 25

1. Relational
2. Topology
3. Emergence
4. Nonlinear

Question 26

Node Centrality

Answer 26

How influential or significant a given node is within the overall network

Question 27

Centralized Networks

Answer 27

Networks with a few highly connective nodes, and many nodes with low levels of connectivity

Question 28

Decentralized Networks

Answer 28

Networks where most of the nodes have a similar degree of connectivity

Question 29

Network Dynamics

Answer 29

Study of how networks form, grow, and change over time.

Question 30

Network Diffusion

Answer 30

How something spreads out or diffuses along the connections of a network

Question 31

Network Robustness

Answer 31

The capacity for a network to maintain functionality given some perturbation