This list of types of systems theory gives an overview of different types of
systems theory
Systems theory is the interdisciplinary study of systems, i.e. cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components that can be natural or human-made. Every system has causal boundaries, is influenced by its context, defined by its structu ...
, which are mentioned in scientific book titles or articles. The following more than 40 types of systems theory are all explicitly named ''systems theory'' and represent a unique
conceptual framework in a specific field of
science
Science is a systematic endeavor that Scientific method, builds and organizes knowledge in the form of Testability, testable explanations and predictions about the universe.
Science may be as old as the human species, and some of the earli ...
.
Systems theory
Systems theory is the interdisciplinary study of systems, i.e. cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components that can be natural or human-made. Every system has causal boundaries, is influenced by its context, defined by its structu ...
has been formalized since the 1950s, and a long set of specialized systems theories and
cybernetics exist. In the beginnings,
general systems theory
Systems theory is the interdisciplinary study of systems, i.e. cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components that can be natural or human-made. Every system has causal boundaries, is influenced by its context, defined by its structu ...
was developed by
Ludwig von Bertalanffy
Karl Ludwig von Bertalanffy (19 September 1901 – 12 June 1972) was an Austrian biologist known as one of the founders of general systems theory (GST). This is an interdisciplinary practice that describes systems with interacting components, app ...
to overcome the over-specialisation of the modern times and as a worldview using
holism. The systems theories nowadays are closer to the traditional specialisation than to holism, by interdependencies and mutual division by mutually-different specialists.
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A
* Abstract systems theory (also see:
formal system
A formal system is an abstract structure used for inferring theorems from axioms according to a set of rules. These rules, which are used for carrying out the inference of theorems from axioms, are the logical calculus of the formal system.
A form ...
)
* Action Theory
*
Adaptive system
An adaptive system is a set of interacting or interdependent entities, real or abstract, forming an integrated whole that together are able to respond to environmental changes or changes in the interacting parts, in a way analogous to either conti ...
s theory (also see:
complex adaptive system
A complex adaptive system is a system that is '' complex'' in that it is a dynamic network of interactions, but the behavior of the ensemble may not be predictable according to the behavior of the components. It is '' adaptive'' in that the indiv ...
)
* Applied general systems theory (also see:
general systems theory
Systems theory is the interdisciplinary study of systems, i.e. cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components that can be natural or human-made. Every system has causal boundaries, is influenced by its context, defined by its structu ...
)
* Applied multidimensional systems theory
* Archaeological systems theory (also see:
Systems theory in archaeology
Systems theory in archaeology is the application of systems theory and systems thinking in archaeology. It originated with the work of Ludwig von Bertalanffy in the 1950s, and is introduced in archaeology in the 1960s with the work of Sally R. Bin ...
)
*
Systems theory in anthropology
* Associated systems theory
B
* Behavioral systems theory
*
Biochemical systems theory
Biochemical systems theory is a mathematical modelling framework for biochemical systems, based on ordinary differential equations (ODE), in which biochemical processes are represented using power-law expansions in the variables of the system.
Th ...
*
Biomatrix systems theory
* Body system
C
![Complex adaptive system theory](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Complex_adaptive_system_theory.jpg)
* Complex adaptive systems theory (also see:
complex adaptive system
A complex adaptive system is a system that is '' complex'' in that it is a dynamic network of interactions, but the behavior of the ensemble may not be predictable according to the behavior of the components. It is '' adaptive'' in that the indiv ...
)
* Complex systems theory (also see:
complex systems)
* Computer-aided systems theory
* Conceptual systems theory (also see:
conceptual system A conceptual system is a system that is composed of non-physical objects, i.e. ideas or concepts. In this context a system is taken to mean "an interrelated, interworking set of objects".
Overview
A conceptual system is a conceptual model. Such s ...
)
* Control systems theory (also see:
control system)
* Critical systems theory (also see:
critical systems thinking
Critical systems thinking (CST) is a systems approach designed to aid decision-makers, and other stakeholders, improve complex problem situations that cross departmental and, often, organizational boundaries. CST sees systems thinking as essential ...
, and
critical theory)
* Cultural Agency Theory
D
*
Developmental systems theory
Developmental systems theory (DST) is an overarching theoretical perspective on biological development, heredity, and evolution. It emphasizes the shared contributions of genes, environment, and epigenetic factors on developmental processes. DST ...
* Distributed parameter systems theory
*
Dynamical systems theory
Dynamical systems theory is an area of mathematics used to describe the behavior of complex dynamical systems, usually by employing differential equations or difference equations. When differential equations are employed, the theory is called '' ...
E
*
Ecological systems theory
Ecological systems theory (also called development in context or human ecology theory) was developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner. It offers a framework through which community psychologists examine individuals' relationships within communities and th ...
(also see:
ecosystem
An ecosystem (or ecological system) consists of all the organisms and the physical environment with which they interact. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. Energy enters the syste ...
,
ecosystem ecology
Ecosystem ecology is the integrated study of living ( biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of ecosystems and their interactions within an ecosystem framework. This science examines how ecosystems work and relates this to their components s ...
)
* Economic systems theory (also see:
economic system)
* Electric energy systems theory
F
*
Family systems theory (also see:
systemic therapy
In psychotherapy, systemic therapy seeks to address people not only on the individual level, as had been the focus of earlier forms of therapy, but also as people in relationships, dealing with the interactions of groups and their interactional p ...
)
* Fuzzy systems theory (also see:
fuzzy logic)
G
*
General systems theory
Systems theory is the interdisciplinary study of systems, i.e. cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components that can be natural or human-made. Every system has causal boundaries, is influenced by its context, defined by its structu ...
H
* Human systems theory (see:
human systems)
I
* Infinite dimensional systems theory
L
* Large scale systems theory
* Liberating systems theory
* Linear systems theory (also see:
linear system
In systems theory, a linear system is a mathematical model of a system based on the use of a linear operator.
Linear systems typically exhibit features and properties that are much simpler than the nonlinear case.
As a mathematical abstractio ...
)
*
Living systems theory
Living systems are open self-organizing life forms that interact with their environment. These systems are maintained by flows of information, energy and matter.
In the last few decades, some scientists have proposed that a general living sys ...
*
LTI system theory
LTI can refer to:
* '' LTI – Lingua Tertii Imperii'', a book by Victor Klemperer
* Language Technologies Institute, a division of Carnegie Mellon University
* Linear time-invariant system, an engineering theory that investigates the response o ...
M
* Macrosystems theory
* Mathematical systems theory
* Medical ethics systems theory
* Modeling systems theory
* Modern control systems theory
* Modern systems theory
* Multidimensional systems theory
N
* Nonlinear stochastic systems theory (also see:
stochastic modeling). General system approach
O
* Operating systems theory (also see:
operating system
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.
Time-sharing operating systems schedule tasks for efficient use of the system and may also i ...
)
*
Open systems theory (also see:
open system)
P
*
Pattern language
A pattern language is an organized and coherent set of ''patterns'', each of which describes a problem and the core of a solution that can be used in many ways within a specific field of expertise. The term was coined by architect Christopher Alexa ...
was first conceived by
Christoper Alexander and has many similarities with systems thinking. It too is a way of describing how things work holistically. Originally applied to architecture, it has been extended into other fields.
* Physical systems theory (also see:
physical system)
* Pulley system
R
* Retrieval system theory
S
* Social systems theory (also see:
social system
In sociology, a social system is the patterned network of relationships constituting a coherent whole that exist between individuals, groups, and institutions. It is the formal structure of role and status that can form in a small, stable group. A ...
)
*
Sociotechnical systems theory
Sociotechnical systems (STS) in organizational development is an approach to complex organizational work design that recognizes the interaction between people and technology in workplaces. The term also refer to coherent systems of human relatio ...
*
Social rule system theory Social rule system theory is an attempt to formally approach different kinds of social rule systems in a unified manner. Social rules systems include institutions such as norms, laws, regulations, taboos, customs, and a variety of related concept ...
T
* Transit systems theory
W
*
World-systems theory
World-systems theory (also known as world-systems analysis or the world-systems perspective)Immanuel Wallerstein, (2004), "World-systems Analysis." In ''World System History'', ed. George Modelski, in ''Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems'' (E ...
[
P. Nick Kardulias, ''World-Systems Theory in Practice: Leadership, Production, and Exchange'', American Anthropological Association Meeting, 1999, 326 pp.]
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See also
References
External links
NKS and a typology of systems theory distinctions Jason Cawley, at Forum Wolframscience.com, August 2003.
:Cawley states, that the student E. Dent studied forms of systems theory and came up with a set of concepts that he thought marked off systems theory approaches from earlier science. Dent identified eight concepts:
:* holism rather than analysis or reductionism,
:* relationships rather than entities,
:* interaction with environment as opposed to closed or isolated systems,
:* indeterminism as opposed to predictability,
:* circular causal loops rather than linear causality,
:* self-organization, observation as part of or directly related to systems, and
:* reflexivity or interaction between a system and what is known about it.
webtext by Gary Witherspoon, 3 April 2007.
: Witherspoon states, that "the rise of abstract art and the development of various systems theories have an important parallel. Abstract art goes beyond the recognition of entity or image and focuses attention on interaction and interrelatedness, striving to uncover and reveal holistic essences. Systems theories have tried to get us beyond linear cause and effect notions and tried to get us to think of phenomena in terms of interaction and interrelationship. It is interesting and significant that abstract art and quantum theory arose at about the same time. Both of these developments preceded the application of various forms of systems theory to the social and biological sciences. Scientific insight and conceptualization have paralleled artistic imagination and aesthetic formulation."
The relevance of "Western" studies of cyberspace paper by David Hakken, State University of New York Institute of technology, 2002.
:Hakken speaks about various additive forms of systems theory in Western anthropology in the 1980s and 1990s: "dual", "tri", "quadra", etc. (e.g., "race and class" or "gender, race, and class" or "sexual orientation, gender, race, and class").
paper by Erkki Berndtson, University of Helsinki Finland:
:As forms of systems theory, Berndtson mentions: general systems theory, cybernetics, systems analysis and functionalism.
Francis Heylighten, Principia Cybernetica Net, 1992.
{{Systems
*
System Theory