Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Systems Theory”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

The network perspective: an integration of attachment and family systems theories.

In this article we discuss the network paradigm as a useful base from which to integrate attachment and family systems theories. The network perspective refers to the application of general systems theory to living systems, and provides a framework that conceptualizes the dyadic and family systems as simultaneously distinct and interconnected. Network thinking requires that the clinician holds multiple perspectives in mind, considers each system level as both a part and a whole, and shifts the focus of attention between levels as required. Key epistemological issues that have hindered the integration of the theories are discussed. These include inconsistencies within attachment theory itself and confusion surrounding the theoretical conceptualizations of the relationship between attachment and family systems theories. Detailed information about attachment categories is provided using the Dynamic Maturational model. Case vignettes illustrating work with young children and their families explore the clinical implications of integrating attachment data into family therapy practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Systems theory in medicine and biology].

We try to determinate, that systems theory has to be introduced into modern medicine. The biological roots as well as the cybernetic ones are outlined. Among various concepts about systems theory the evaluation by Riedl seems to be the most efficient to explain medical procedures. His basic informations refer to von Bertalanffy, the additional introduction of a 4-cause-principle, Aristoteles, permits the explanation of complex relations. The examples of tumor and inflammation are used to demonstrate the basic idea of the formal cause as well as the final cause. The latter should also become an important fact in the solution of other medical problems.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

A systems theory approach to a case of anorexia nervosa.

Systems theory views mental and psychosomatic illness as the natural consequences of a dysfunctional human interactional group. The symptom chosen is affected by the symptom carrier's age, sex, and unique individual characteristics. However, the reason the symptom develops and is maintained is to be found in the system(s) of which the symptom carrier is a part. A human system consist of two or more individuals who have an ongoing, often goal-directed, relationship with each other. The most important human system today is undoubtedly the family. The welfare of the individual is usually related to membership in a vital, well-adjusted family. A dysfunctional family easily becomes dependent on mental or behavioral deviations in one of its members as a means of preventing disintegration. We hope this article's description of a typical treatment situation will demonstrate how a systems theory approach differs from other forms of family therapy in its evaluations and techniques.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Risk and systems theory.

The last few decades have seen increasingly widespread use of risk assessment and management techniques as aids in making complex decisions. However, despite the progress that has been made in risk science, there still remain numerous examples of risk-based decisions and conclusions that have caused great controversy. In particular, there is a great deal of debate surrounding risk assessment: the role of values and ethics and other extra-scientific factors, the efficacy of quantitative versus qualitative analysis, and the role of uncertainty and incomplete information. Many of the epistemological and methodological issues confronting risk assessment have been explored in general systems theory, where techniques exist to manage such issues. However, the use of systems theory and systems analysis tools is still not widespread in risk management. This article builds on the Alachlor risk assessment case study of Brunk, Haworth, and Lee to present a systems-based view of the risk assessment process. The details of the case study are reviewed and the authors' original conclusions regarding the effects of extra-scientific factors on risk assessment are discussed. Concepts from systems theory are introduced to provide a mechanism with which to illustrate these extra-scientific effects The role of a systems study within a risk assessment is explained, resulting in an improved view of the problem formulation process The consequences regarding the definition of risk and its role in decision making are then explored.

Acetamides↗
PubMed2001

Systems biology: the reincarnation of systems theory applied in biology?

With the availability of quantitative data on the transcriptome and proteome level, there is an increasing interest in formal mathematical models of gene expression and regulation. International conferences, research institutes and research groups concerned with systems biology have appeared in recent years and systems theory, the study of organisation and behaviour per se, is indeed a natural conceptual framework for such a task. This is, however, not the first time that systems theory has been applied in modelling cellular processes. Notably in the 1960s systems theory and biology enjoyed considerable interest among eminent scientists, mathematicians and engineers. Why did these early attempts vanish from research agendas? Here we shall review the domain of systems theory, its application to biology and the lessons that can be learned from the work of Robert Rosen. Rosen emerged from the early developments in the 1960s as a main critic but also developed a new alternative perspective to living systems, a concept that deserves a fresh look in the post-genome era of bioinformatics.

Causality↗
PubMed1989

[Systems theory and nursing--a theoretical discussion].

Every nurse interested in nursing process models and nursing theory will sooner or later meet the general systems theory (GST). In this article the background of GST is briefly described. Further the key concepts of GST are defined; components, attributes, relations, borders, input, output, filtering, process, open system, closed system, subsystem, suprasystem, feedback and steady state. As examples of GST in nursing the Newman Health Care Systems Model, the Johnson Open System Model and Yura and Walsh way of using the theory are described in brief. Finally some advantages and disadvantages of using general systems theory in nursing are noticed.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

Client-controlled case information: a general system theory perspective.

The author proposes a model for client control of case information via the World Wide Web built on principles of general system theory. It incorporates the client into the design, resulting in an information structure that differs from traditional human services information-sharing practices. Referencing general system theory, the concepts of controller and controlled system, as well as entropy and negentropy, are applied to the information flow and autopoietic behavior as they relate to the boundary-maintaining functions of today's organizations. The author's conclusions synthesize general system theory and human services values to lay the foundation for an information-sharing framework for human services in the 21st century.

Case Management↗
PubMed1995

[With problem of applying modern systems theories in clinical practice].

In this paper the tension between "practice" and "theory" is reflected concerning modern system theories and psychosocial practice. Focusing the limits of predictability and manageability these theories contrast with practitioners need for easy-to-use advices for acting. Reframing the well-known dilemma of the discrepancy between theory and practice the usefulness of the difference between theory and practice is accentuated. Others reflected these topic in more fundamental or philosophical way (cf. Krohn & Küppers 1990; Schiepek 1991; Schiepek, Fricke & Kaimer 1992; Willke 1989). In a more "pragmatic turn" attention is drawn to some methods of orientation and intervention in complex systems. System game and system competence are new ways in training and evaluating the management of complex systems.

Communication↗
PubMed1984

Chronic pain from the perspective of health: a view based on systems theory.

Envisaging the phenomenon of pain within the concept of systems theory, different, mutually coherent system levels can be noted of interest, namely the existential person level, the psychological behavioural level and the organismal neurophysiological level. Viewed from this angle, and considering pain to be a signal indicating the whole system's integrity being threatened, the experience of pain can be seen as associated with an intrinsic system function: the pain function. This function is initiated in painful conditions with respect to the system as a whole, rather than being a symptomatic phenomenon lodged--in terms of cause and effect--in distinct system levels. The syndrome of chronic pain may therefore be regarded as a specific state resulting from a pathological derangement in the course of that function. In respect of the different ways in which the system, by way of this function, can cope with a painful event, various possible correlations may be pointed out with regard to the conditions of the system levels in concern. As to the specific course of the pain function--the system's 'answer' to the threatening condition--the pre-existing state of system's integrity can be proposed to be of major importance; the integrity being in clinical terms consonant with a given state of 'health'. Thus chronic pain may be considered as a pathological state resulting from the reaction to painful conditions of an already unhealthy individual. In view of this concept on (chronic) pain several implications can be pointed out with regard to the leading notions on chronic pain, as well as to the general therapeutic approach to be considered.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1990

Toward social system theory: implications for older people with developmental disabilities and service delivery.

The literature refers to older people with developmental disabilities as the "new service population." How and why this population emerged as a special category is discussed conceptually with reference to social systems theory. A brief review of social systems theory and some basic systemic tenets are presented. Systemic tenets are employed in examining the historical development of social gerontology and present trends in the service-delivery system. I show that the systemic variable of the economic model of human development has significantly impacted on the making of older people with developmental disabilities a dependent population. In the conclusion the systems perspective is explored in relation to recognizing the liminal, in-between parts between components. It is argued that such a perception minimizes the dichotomy between older people with developmental disabilities and the non-disabled population, paving the way for a genuine encounter.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

The linear system theory's account of behavior maintained by variable-ratio schedules.

The mathematical theory of linear systems, which has been used successfully to describe behavior maintained by variable-interval schedules, is extended to describe behavior maintained by variable-ratio schedules. The result of the analysis is a pair of equations, one of which expresses response rate on a variable-ratio schedule as a function of the mean ratio requirement (n) that the schedule arranges. The other equation expresses response rate on a variable-ratio schedule as a function of reinforcement rate. Both equations accurately describe existing data from variable-ratio schedules. The theory accounts for two additional characteristics of behavior maintained by variable-ratio schedules; namely, the appearance of strained, two-valued (i.e., zero or very rapid) responding at large ns, and the abrupt cessation of responding at a boundary n. The theory also accounts for differences between behavior on variable-interval and variable-ratio schedules, including (a) the occurrence of strained responding on variable-ratio but not on variable-interval schedules, (b) the abrupt cessation of responding on occurrence of higher response rates on variable-ratio than on variable-interval schedules. Furthermore, given data from a series of variable-interval schedules and from a series of concurrent variable-ratio variable-interval schedules, the theory permits quantitative prediction of many properties of behavior on single-alternative variable-ratio schedules. The linear system theory's combined account of behavior on variable-interval and variable-ratio schedules is superior to existing versions of six other mathematical theories of variable-interval and variable-ratio responding.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Close relationships and social support in coping with HIV: a test of sensitive interaction systems theory.

This study tested sensitive interaction systems theory, and examined how persons with HIV seek and receive social support in relationships with peers versus parents and the association between different kinds of support-receiving behaviors and depressive symptoms. The participants were men and women with HIV in southeastern Virginia who completed a self-administered questionnaire about their relations with parents, an intimate partner, and a close friend. Participants reported using more Ask behaviors (a direct form of support seeking) with a friend and an intimate partner than with parents. They also reported receiving more Approach (Solve/Solace) forms of support from a friend and an intimate partner than from parents and less Avoidance (Escape/Dismiss) from a close friend than from parents. As a support-seeking behavior Ask was most likely to be associated with Approach forms of support providing from all types of relationship partners. Avoidance from parents, an intimate partner, or a friend was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Counselors should discuss with clients the social support process and how different forms of support seeking and support providing may be more or less useful in coping with HIV.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1978

A multi-systems theory of the structure and dynamics of motor functions.

A theoretical analysis of the structure and dynamics of human motor functioning is presented from the perspective of a general theory of individuality. Within multifactor-systems theory, the structural units of the six systems of integrative personality (i.e., sensory, motor, cognitive, affect, style, and value) are hierarchical factor structures. Integrative functioning, both within and among systems, is described via the principles of general systems and information-processing theory. Our theoretical synthesis of the structure and dynamics of human motor functioning involves conceptualizing the hierarchy of motor factors as: (a) the basic dimensions of individual differences in the motor domain, (b) classes of decomposable motor programs that specify the spatio-temporal organization of behavior, and (c) decomposable classes of processing components entailed by motor programs. Some of the implications for understanding the role of affect in motor functioning and some research suggestions were presented.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Psychoanalysis and dynamical systems theory: prediction and self similarity.

The theory of dynamical systems (sometimes called chaos theory) has emerged in the past two decades as a powerful tool for understanding the evolution of complex systems. Attempts to develop psychoanalysis along the lines of nineteenth century physical science have proven unsatisfactory. The theory of dynamical systems provides another route for development. It suggests that prediction should aim at describing the overall evolution of systems and that the possibilities for such evolution are broader than classical theory suggested. It also shows that complex systems often involve structures that repeat basic features on several different levels of observation. This suggests a method for systematically exploring the overly rich data of psychoanalysis.

Ego↗
PubMed1981

A critical examination of the dual system theory in Ostrinia nubilalis.

Beck's dual system theory (DST) is examined theoretically and experimentally by investigating the oviposition rhythm of Ostrinia nubilalis and its entrainment by light cycles. Several well-known circadian phenomena are not accounted for by the DST. 1) It does not generate transient cycles when light pulses fall during the advance portion of the circadian cycle. This is also reflected in DST-predicted phase-response curves (PRC's) for both Drosophila pseudoobscura and O. nubilalis. Steady-state phase advances are predicted to occur on day 1 after the light pulses by the DST, not several cycles later as has been observed in many cases. 2) It does not account for the observation that the magnitude of a phase shift (delta phi) is often a function of pulse duration of both delays and advances. The DST predicts the same + delta phi, for example, for a 0.5-h and a 6.0-h light pulse beginning 5.0 h after dusk. 3) The DST does not accurately predict steady-state phase relationships between the light cycle and the gating oscillation (P-system) in non-24-h light cycles. 4) The driver (S-system) is given the property of being temperature sensitive whereas the driven rhythm (P-system) is temperature compensated. This is contrary to accumulated data suggesting that the circadian pacemaker is temperature compensated.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Neurodynamic system theory: scope and limits.

This paper proposes that neurodynamic system theory may be used to connect structural and functional aspects of neural organization. The paper claims that generalized causal dynamic models are proper tools for describing the self-organizing mechanism of the nervous system. In particular, it is pointed out that ontogeny, development, normal performance, learning, and plasticity, can be treated by coherent concepts and formalism. Taking into account the self-referential character of the brain, autopoiesis, endophysics and hermeneutics are offered as elements of a poststructuralist brain (-mind-computer) theory.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗