Systems Theory

Imagine you are observing Charlie managing their daily life. Their routine includes a variety of things such as work, family time, health behaviors, social activities, cultural traditions, and hobbies. Each of these components plays a role in shaping Charlie’s life, well-being, and beliefs. These components are all connected between each other and are able to influence one another, creating various subsystems and feedback loops. For example, maybe Charlie likes to crochet, this hobby helps them relax, positively impacting their mental health, which in turn enhances Charlie’s interactions at work, or with family and friends.

But there aren’t just positive effects. Consider the scenario of Charlie facing a critical deadline for a project at work. The pressure to meet this deadline could lead to longer working hours, increased stress, and long sleepless nights. This disruption in Charlie’s routine could spill into their relationships, health, and maybe even their availability to attend social events. Consequently, this ripple effect could impact their entire system and Charlie’s wellbeing.

Systems theory is based on the idea of interconnection. To understand the impact of Charlie’s work stress, one must also observe how it affects other aspects of their life. This holistic view, helps find patterns and develop solutions to manage Charlie’s personal system more effectively, such as learning how to manage due dates or seeking a workplace that balances their responsibilities better.

Additionally, systems theory helps identify feedback loops within Charlie’s system, identifying cycles of cause and effect that can amplify or reduce changes within the system. For example, in our previous scenario, Charlie could incorporate physical activity and crocheting in order to counteract the stress of a pressing deadline.

In other words, systems theory emphasizes adaptability and resilience. For Charlie’s this might mean developing a coping mechanism for handling stress and adjusting routines to better manage environmental demands.

Systems theory provides a complete framework for understanding and addressing complexities in various contexts. But most importantly, it helps create solutions or manage systems by looking at it from a holistic point of view. 

System: Its definition may vary across disciplines, but it is essentially made up of two or more interdependent elements that are interconnected and share a similar goal. For example, Charlie’s entire life is a system which includes work, family, health, social activities etc.

Subsystem: A smaller component of a larger system that can function independently but also contributes to the overall system's goals. Hierarchy might be introduced when subsystems are present. Charlie’s job would be a subsystem which functions by itself and has other components while also contributing to Charlie’s system and goals.

Environment: External elements or variables that interact with and affect a system. Charlie’s environment would include the societal norms, economic and political conditions, etc.

Boundary: The actual line or barrier that defines and separates a system from its environment and/or other systems

Feedback: Circular process in which a system’s information or output is circled (fed) back into the system. It can be either positive or negative. For example, when Charlie receives a stressful deadline, this affects their mental health, which in turn negatively impacts their work performance.

Equilibrium: A state of balance within a system where all components are functioning optimally.  For example, Charlie might reach equilibrium or homeostasis when they balance work, family, personal activities in a way that maintains their well-being and quality of life.

Synergy: The combined effect of system components that is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

Open System: A system that interacts with its environment, exchanging energy, materials, and information.

Closed System: A system with limited or no interaction with its environment.

Systems Theory has roots in several disciplines, but it was formalized in the mid-20th century by biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Before he published his paper on “General Systems Theory,” people associated growth and change in living organisms with linear, cause-and-effect theories. Von Bertalanffy suggested otherwise, as he believed change was a consequence of interactions between the parts of an organism. This was a groundbreaking moment as it shifted the reductionist views of the world—it considered systems as a whole and promoted holistic approaches.²

Von Bertalanffy's ideas were actually influenced by late 1800 and early 1900 sociologists, Émile Durkheim and Max Weber. Durkheim applied early systems theory to human social systems by observing how societies maintain cohesion and group identity. He is famous for the concept of “anomie,” used to describe individuals alienated from society. Weber, on the other hand, studied how governments and bureaucracies controlled society and individuals through force.²

Going back to the mid-20th century, mental health professionals such as Gregory Bateson, Virginia Satir, and Don Jackson, studied family systems specifically in the context of schizophrenia and introduced the practice of family therapy. They identified and emphasized the importance of communication patterns within a family and how these could affect people’s life outcomes and decisions. Also, during the 1980s Urie Bronfenbrenner developed the Ecological Systems Theory of Human Development. It emphasized how settings like family, school, and societal norms can specifically affect child development.³

By the end of the 20th century, Nicklas Luhmann developed sociological systems theory which viewed society as a collection of interconnected systems. For example, the education system is made up of schools and universities, and the healthcare system of hospitals and clinics. Something unique about Luhmann’s theory is that each subsystem has its own goals but is also influenced by its unique environment (e.g. community, local policies, etc.). Finally an important term in sociological systems theory is autopoiesis, meaning systems can maintain and recreate themselves. For example, a school is continually changing as teachers & students rotate, and the curriculum changes.

Only by looking at the history behind systems theory can we understand how it might help develop new strategies and theories to benefit various fields. But it’s not purely sociological, systems theory can help with business and product development. Considering the client’s whole environment, including social, cultural, and economic factors can help researchers understand their clients’ needs and how they influence them, creating quality solutions and products.

Ludwig von Bertalanffy: An Austrian theoretical biologist known as the father of General Systems Theory. He set the foundation of analyzing systems across different disciplines. Von Bertalanffy wanted to express how a system’s properties were not necessarily just the sum of its components and that they should be treated like a living organism.⁴

Norbert Wiener: American computer scientist, mathematician, and professor at MIT. He is known as the father of cybernetics, which focuses on the similarities between living organisms and machines. Wiener’s job was crucial to understand feedback mechanisms and how systems are able to adapt to changes.¹

Uri Bronfenbrenner: American psychologist known for the concept of “ecological environment.” He believed people were influenced by their environment and cultural contexts. Bronfenbrenner viewed  the different subsystems of social structures as a set of Russian nesting dolls.²

Gregory Bateson: English anthropologist and social scientist. His work highlighted the importance of feedback and communication in shaping social interactions and cultural practices. He developed the “double blind” theory of schizophrenia, which suggests communication patterns contribute to the disorder.³

Something fascinating about systems theory is that it can be applied to nearly any and every context. Starting with ecology, it helps understand the relationships within literal ecosystems and the impact of human activities and industries. It might help find specific issues and contribute to strategies that balance or reduce pervasive problems like climate change.

In engineering and manufacturing, systems theory might help design and manage transportations networks, communications systems and manufacturing processes. Focusing on the entire system, inputs, outputs and feedback loops, engineers can create efficient and holistic systems.

In social sciences, systems theory observes the dynamics of social structures and relationships. It might help develop strategies and policies that consider the intricacies of family dynamics, community development, and other behavioral practices across multiple contexts and fields.

And, in education, systems theory has influenced the development of teaching methods and class structure, as well as critical thinking methods. Understanding the whole picture encourages teachers to create a learning environment that fosters community, collaboration and equity.

Overall, systems theory's holistic approach provides a comprehensive framework that can lead to more effective problem-solving and decision-making in various fields. By considering the interplay between different components of a system, it allows for more adaptive solutions, ultimately enhancing our ability to address complex challenges in an interconnected world.

Despite its great variety of applications, systems theory has faced several criticisms. One of the most popular being  that it’s a “one size fits all” model. For example, in family therapy, not all families might benefit from this type of holistic approach due to their unique needs and dynamics. Systems theory could actually lead to ineffective interventions or negative outcomes. 

Additionally, systems theory is quite complex and abstract. This makes it more difficult to deduce practical applications. Clearly, a person or a company has multiple interactions, inputs, and outputs that affect the central figure. The issue lies in the ability to map or analyze all of these interactions effectively. 

How do you know if you are considering a component that might not be important in the future, or if you are missing a crucial component or environmental factor? How much time should you assign to this task or analysis, is it worth it? Some critics argue that by promoting a holistic approach that requires so much information collection, systems theory can sometimes overlook important details and nuances specific to individual components.

Another controversy revolves around the assumption that solutions or strategies developed through systems theory will end up in a “win-win” situation. In reality, ethical dilemmas can arise when one solution affects the environment or other components in a negative way. Looking at the whole system can sometimes leave the needs and values of individuals or components aside. 

Finally, and continuing with the topic of ethics, some might argue that systems theory could impose ideas or solutions in a way that reduces individual autonomy. Although the main goal of this method is to find solutions by looking at the interconnectedness and interdependence of all components, it can also lead to decisions that do not consider personal preferences.

Mitigation Strategies

Here are some suggestions to address these issues or controversies:

1. Tailored Approaches: Reduce the “one size fits all” or generic model by looking at the specific needs and context of the individual or group in question. 
2. Organized Analysis: Break down and structure the analysis to ensure critical components are not missed. For example, try going from simple to complex.
3. Consider Ethical Concerns: Make sure you follow local or international ethical guidelines into the systems theory analysis.
4. Internal and External Feedback: You can ask members of your own team or other teams to give you their perspective so you can adjust the strategies you’ve come up with and make them more dynamic. For example, in a company, if you are mainly concerned with the marketing team you could seek advice from other areas of the business like stakeholders.

By considering these mitigation strategies, the application of systems theory can become more flexible, inclusive, and ethically sound, addressing many of the criticisms it faces.

Researchers at Politehnica University Timisoara in Romania used systems theory to improve the development and quality of cosmetic products such as creams and lotions. The study used mathematical modeling to understand the interactions between cosmetic ingredients and processes involved in the creation of these products.

The goal of this study was to understand and improve the physical-chemical stability and microbiological quality of cosmetic emulsions (creams). By doing so the research team would be able to develop stable and efficient formulations that last through the years.

Their results showed that by understanding the evaporation residue and other stability indicators, they could predict and enhance the longevity and performance of these products. For example, they found patterns showing how temperature and microbial presence affected the products, allowing researchers to fine-tune the formulations for better results.

This study demonstrated the power of systems theory by understanding how each ingredient and process interacts to improve the overall quality of cosmetic products. By combining “formal” scientific analysis with practical applications, they found a way of creating reliable and high-performing cosmetic products that deliver on their promise of enhancing skin health.

Complex Systems: This article explains complex systems, where interactions among individual parts lead to unpredictable, emergent behaviors. It highlights their importance across various fields and advocates for understanding these systems to address global issues effectively.

System and Real World Alignment:This article explores how behavioral design aligns systems with real-world user behaviors and expectations. It highlights Nielsen’s usability heuristics for improving user experience and discusses the importance of incorporating familiar cultural and linguistic elements into designs to reduce user uncertainty and enhance usability. 

1. Scott, L. (2015). Systems Theory Terms. Retrieved July 11, 2024 from: https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/DshBToGnNbTBD7BSw/systems-theory-terms#Feedback
2. Friedman, B.D. & Neuman Allen, K. (2017). Theory & Practice in Clinical Social Work. Cognella Inc. (3rd Edition). Retrieved July 11, 2024 from: https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/32947_Chapter1.pdf
3. Britannica. (2024). Gregory-Bateson. Retrieved July 11, 2024 from: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-Bateson
4. Information Philospher. (n.d.) Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Retrieved July 11, 2024 from: https://www.informationphilosopher.com/solutions/scientists/bertalanffy/
5. Manea, A. E., Perju, M. D., & Tămaș, A. (2022). Systems theory and the study of cosmetic products. Journal of Engineering Sciences and Innovation, 7(1), 45-58. https://doi.org/10.56958/jesi.2022.7.1.45