FUTR 6131: USING SYSTEMS APPROACHES

COURSE ASSIGNMENT:
System Types -- Examples.

During this class, we will be examining five different kinds of systems.

Simple systems:
1) stable systems, the structure of which is characterized by negative feedback. We can also call these "balancing" or "stabilizing" systems: the classic example is the system comprised of furnace, air temperature, and thermostat.

2) growing or decaying systems dominated by positive feedback. We can also call these "reinforcing" or "de-stabilizing" systems: the classic example is the system comprised of a microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker, which produces an audio "squeal" as sound is fed into the mike, amplified, emerges from the speaker, and is fed back into the mike, louder still.

Counter-intuitive systems:
3) different combinations of the two simple systems which in the long run can produce counter intuitive results: any of the problem "archetypes" listed in your workbook potentially produce counter-intuitive results, because they all depict primary systems and sub-systems that are often "hidden" when the problem is initially diagnosed. "Shifting the Burden" is an example: symptomatic solutions are applied, which produce a short-term improvement, but only mask a fundamental problem which in the end causes a system breakdown.

Chaotic sytems:
4) systems simple in structure that produce complex behavior: characterized by sensitive dependence on initial conditions. Weather is the classic example.

Complex adaptive systems:
5) systems which may be characterized as self-stabilizing; purposeful (goal-seeking); as using feedback to modify their behavior or to modify the environment; and as capable of replicating, maintaining, repairing, and reorganizing themselves. The human body is a complex system, as is human society.

Submit two examples of each kind of system: the examples may be from newspaper, magazine, or journal articles, or they may be descriptions of systems in everyday life. Give at least one paragraph describing the example, and at least one paragraph explaining why your example is the type of system you say it is. When possible as part of your justification, provide a causal loop diagram or flow diagram. Provide a minimum of three diagrams.