Terms Chapter 3

Question 1

Complexity

Answer 1

The number of storages and flows and the number and strength of feedback loops in a system.

Question 2

Dependent Variable

Answer 2

Variable dependent on the change in the independent variable

Question 3

Economic System

Answer 3

The collection of firms and households that produce and consume the goods and services people associate with material well-being.

Question 4

Equilibrium

Answer 4

The state of a system in which there is no net change.

Question 5

Experiment

Answer 5

A set of actions and observations to verify or falsify a hypothesis or research a causal relationship between phenomena.

Question 6

Falsified

Answer 6

Rejection of a hypothesis because observations or experimental results are inconsistent with expectations.

Question 7

Feedback loop*

Answer 7

Linkages in a system that eventually connect to themself

Question 8

Fitness

Answer 8

The number of offspring an individual leaves in the next generation.

Question 9

Flows*

Answer 9

Movements of energy or materials between storages in a system.

Question 10

Function

Answer 10

A mathematical formula that relates one variable to another

Question 11

General Systems Theory*

Answer 11

The study of relationships, structures, and interdependence of storages and flows.

Question 12

Gradient*

Answer 12

A change in the entropy of energy or matter over a specific distance.

Question 13

Homeostasis*

Answer 13

The ability of a system to maintain its behavior or set point when disturbed.

Question 14

Indepedant Variable

Answer 14

A variable that sets the precedent for the behavior of a defendant variable

Question 15

Integrated Systems Approach*

Answer 15

The use of information from many disciplines that is needed to understand and solve specific environmental problems and generate general policy that moves society toward sustainability.

Question 16

Invalidated

Answer 16

Rejection of a hypothesis because observations or experimental results are inconsistent with expectations.

Question 17

Natural Selection

Answer 17

The differential survival and reproduction of organisms with genetic characteristics that enable them to better utilize environmental resources.

Question 18

Negative Feedback Loop*

Answer 18

Creating homeostasis by changing the effect of a disturbance after one complete loop so that the system is moved back toward its original state.

Question 19

Positive Feedback Loop*

Answer 19

Destabilizes a system by reinforcing the effect of a disturbance so that the system is moved further away from its original state.

Question 20

Positive Relationship

Answer 20

Correlation between parts of a system such that an increase in one part of a system causes an increase in another part of the system.

Question 21

Reductionist Approach

Answer 21

Approach to learning that requires the breaking up of parts of something and studying those parts separately

Question 22

Resistance

Answer 22

The ability of a system to withstand a disturbance.

Question 23

Resiliance

Answer 23

The ability of a system to return to its set point following a disturbance.

Question 24

Risk Management

Answer 24

The process of making decisions without complete information due to the presence of a stochastic element.

Question 25

Scenario Analysis

Answer 25

A modeling technique that involves entering different sets of data into a model and determining how changes in the input data affect the model’s output.

Question 26

Set Point

Answer 26

The level of a storage or flow that systems maintain via homeostasis.

Question 27

Simulation Models

Answer 27

A modeling technique that involves entering different sets of data into a model and determining how changes in the input data affect the model’s output.

Question 28

Stability

Answer 28

The ability of a system to return a storage or flow to a set point following a disturbance.

Question 29

Stochastic

Answer 29

Containing uncertainty due to an element of chance.

Question 30

Storage*

Answer 30

A system part where energy or materials stay for an extended period.

Question 31

Subsystem

Answer 31

A system that is part of a larger system.

Question 32

System*

Answer 32

A collection of parts, which are known as storages and flows, that interact with each other to generate regular or predictable patterns or behaviors.

Question 33

Time lag*

Answer 33

The period that lapses between a cause and its effect.

Question 34

Validated (will not need to know this)

Answer 34

Confirmation of a hypothesis because observations or experimental results are consistent with expectations.

Question 35

Variance

Answer 35

the degree of dispersion or scattering around a variable’s expected value