Systems Theory Overview
Systems Theory in Brief
Four key characteristics interact to maintain a system. First, all systems are goal oriented: they have a specific function. Second, systems have inputs from their environment on which they act. Next, systems have outputs: products that they send out to their environment. Lastly, systems obtain feedback from the environment that offers information about their outputs. These characteristics will be elaborated in the next section
.
Where can Systems Theory be Applied?
Systems theory applies to almost anything with more than one part. A single atom is a system–composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons that affect each other’s behavior. Thus, systems theory can be applied in any educational setting, including public and private schools, corporate and government human resources centers, and higher education. The CHANGE Division seeks to improve education through this application.
A Short History of Systems Theory
The origins of systems theory go back many centuries, to when scientists first sought to learn about complex systems. They believed the best way to accomplish this was to break the system up into it’s smaller components, which in turn could be more readily identified and studied. This approach to studying systems became widely used and successful in the physical sciences such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Unfortunately it also became widely misused. Scientists began to reduce systems into their component parts neglecting their relationship with the larger system. This practice, known as reductionism, sees systems as nothing but the sum of their parts.
General systems theory evolved beginning in the 1920’s as scientists began to consider the characteristics of whole systems. They concluded that no matter how unique the components of different systems were, all systems shared a common set of organizational principles.
General systems theory enabled development of new methods for tackling complex real-world problems that spanned different disciplines. It also provided individuals with a broader view of how complex systems work.
Last Modified: February 21, 2007
by William Watson, Communications Officer
©2007 AECT Division on Systemic Change
1800 North Stonelake Drive, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
RSS