General systems theory, or just systems theory, is the interdisciplinary study of diverse systems in general, with the objective of discovering patterns and identifying rules that can be applied in different fields of knowledge.
Theory assumes that a system is any organism formed by interconnected and interdependent parts. It is this breadth of the concept that makes the general theory of systems applicable to various areas of knowledge, whether in the exact, social, natural sciences, etc.
The purpose of systems theory is to investigate commonalities between different fields of knowledge and discover its dynamics, problems and principles (purpose, methods, tools, etc.) in order to produce results.
Systems theory represents some shifts in perspectives in some respects:
- From the parts to the whole. Through systems theory, the focus is no longer the object of study in each area, but the relationships between these different areas
- From measurement to mapping these relationships
- From quantitative analysis to qualitative data analysis
- From objective knowledge to epistemological knowledge, that is, "knowledge about knowledge"
Origin of General Systems Theory
Systems theory originated in the field of biology with the studies of Ludwig von Bertalanffy, In the 60's. The metaphors used by Ludwig to refer to living organisms were soon adopted by organizational scholars in an attempt to better understand how organizations work.
In 1966, psychologist Daniel Katz and computer scientist Robert Kahn published the book “Social Psychology of Organizations”, thus popularizing the application of Systemic Theory in the field of organizations. Later, the theory started to be applied in an analogous way in several areas of knowledge.
Important Concepts of General Systems Theory
The general theory of systems presents some concepts that are essential for its understanding:
System: organism composed of independent and interconnected parts.
Borders: limits that define a system and separate them from others.
Entropy: quantity that measures the level of irreversibility of changes suffered by a physical system.
homeostasis or "steady state”: resistance to changes by a system with a tendency to remain in balance.
Environment: external context in which the system is located.
Input, import or input: phenomenon or cause that initiates system operation.
Exit, export or output: final consequence of system operation. The results must be consistent with the purpose of the system.
Processing or throughput: process of converting imports into exports.
Feedback or feedback: system reaction to external stimuli. It can be positive or negative. Feedbacks positives cause the system to act on the input received while negative forces a counter (resistant) functioning.
System characteristics
According to Bertanlanffy, despite being formed by several independent parts, the systems have unique characteristics and attributes that do not exist in any of the isolated parts that compose them. These features are:
Purpose: systems always aim to fulfill a purpose that cannot be satisfied by any of its isolated parts.
Totality: since systems are organisms, any change in one of the parts will have consequences in all the others.
Types of systems
Systems can be classified by their constitution and their nature. Regarding the constitution, the systems can be:
Physicists: they are real and tangible things such as objects, equipment and other types of machinery such as computers, cars, watches, etc.
Abstracts: are concepts and ideas formed by different parts. It can be areas of knowledge, theories, arguments, etc.
With respect to nature, systems can be:
open: are susceptible to influences from the environment around them.
Closed: do not interact with their surroundings.
Examples of application of systems theory
General systems theory is applicable to numerous areas of knowledge. To illustrate how knowledge about one system can be applied by analogy to another, check out the examples:
Example 1: The thermostat is a device responsible for keeping the temperature stable inside a place. As the temperature rises, the thermostat responds by turning an air conditioner or heater on or off. The thermostat, therefore, is an open system programmed to maintain itself in homeostasis (balance) as it receives inputs (room temperature).
The entrance (input) received by the thermostat works as feedback negative, as it forces a counter-response from the system. If the input is heat, the output (output) it's cold and vice versa.
Example 2: The human body, just like a thermostat, keeps its system in homeostasis. As the body's activity is increased (input), the body responds by increasing the heart rate to send more blood to the muscles (output). This activity decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood and forces the lungs (input) to work faster (output).
Systems theory in psychology
Systems theory is applied in psychology in order to assess the human psyche as an open system, that is, one that interacts through inputs and outputs to the external environment.
Traumatic events can function as input for changes in the psychological system, which processes the event and presents outputs in the form of symptoms.
Psychological defense mechanisms, such as denial, work as homeostasis, that is, they seek to keep the psychological system in balance.
Systems theory in administration
In administrative theory, organizations are seen as open systems that receive inputs in the form of energy, supplies, people, etc. and provide outputs as products and services.
Systems theory in computing
In computing, a system is the set formed by software, hardware and human resources. It is one of the simplest areas to identify the application of the general theory of systems, considering that an information system responds to inserted inputs and produces a result.
Systems theory in geography
In several areas of geography, authors use the term "geosystem" to designate the set of natural, social, economic and cultural elements that, interdependently, create the environment in which we live.
Clearly, it can be said that the environment is a system that suffers inputs constant through human activity (exploitation, gas emissions, urbanization, etc.) and presents consistent results.
Global warming is a phenomenon that occurs through feedback positive. Unlike the negative, which aims to keep the system in balance, the feedback positive forces the system to work in the same direction as the input received, usually resulting in an imbalance.
As the emission of carbon dioxide increases the Earth's temperature, the polar ice caps, responsible for reflect part of the sunlight, melt, increasing the amount of water on the planet and, consequently, the absorption of heat. Note that the output produced is equal to the input received (heat).
See too:
- Management
- geography
- Information system
- Information Technology
- Biology
- psychology
