PART2 Flashcards
An Austrian-born biologist known as one of the founders of general
systems theory (GST).
KARL LUDWIG VON BERTALANFFY
General systems theory is a general science of
‘wholeness’.
Barriers that define a system and distinguish it from other systems in an
environment.
Boundaries:
The tendency of a system to be resilient with respect to external disruption
and to maintain its key characteristics.
Homeostasis:
The tendency of a system to make the internal changes to protect itself
and keep fulfilling its purpose.
Adaptation:
Circular or cyclical interactions that systems engage in such that they
influence one another.
Reciprocal Transactions:
The process by which systems self-correct based on reactions from other
systems in the environment.
Feedback Loop:
Rate of energy transfer between a system and its environment over time.
Throughput:
The system closest to the client.
Microsystem:
Relationships among systems in an environment.
Mesosystem:
A relationship between two systems that has an indirect effect on a third
system.
Exosystem:
A larger system that influences clients, such as policies, administration of
entitlement programs, and culture.
Macrosystem:
A system composed of significant life events affecting adaptation.
Chronosystem:
In Bertalanffy’s book titled General System Theory:
Foundations, Development, Applications from 1968, he developed the “____________” (general systems theory) first via lectures beginning in 1937 and then via publications beginning in 1946
allgemeine Systemlehre
CHARACTERISTICS OF SYSTEMS
- “Systems” refer specifically to self-regulating systems.
- Systems are self-correcting through feedback.
- Systems have a structure that is defined by its parts and processes.
- Systems are generalizations of reality.
- The various parts of a system have functional as well as structural
relationships between each other. - Systems tend to function in the same way.
- Every living organism is essentially an open system.
