Systems Theory: Laszlo And Krippner (1998)

U2A1: Roots of Systems Theory

Introduction
Laszlo and Krippner (1998) describe a system as “a complex of interacting components together with the relationships among them that permit the identification of a boundary-maintaining entity or process. (p. 2) Systems Theory is based on studying how individual parts of a system interact with each other to produce certain behaviors. System theory can be classified as identifying patterns and behaviors. The roots of system thinking have been in existence since the early 20th Century and have since been formally identified as such. The process of systems thinking is being able to pay attention to the whole while focusing on the complex interrelationships that make up a system to encourage the development

It is the theory which decides what can be observed." The term systems thinking was coined in the early 1920’s; however, the concept of systems thinking has been around much longer. As far back as the 1800’s people have pondered how perceptions influence behavior. Systems thinking encourages one to evaluate all perceptions in order to affect change. Vaugh (2013) explains that as people “develop their ability to see things differently, they increase their ability to adapt their mental models.” Using mental model tools such as advocacy/inquiry palette will assist organizations in the ability to think critically and perform tasks such as create reinforcing processes within their organization. The ability to adapt mental models will also encourage collaboration and understanding which helps participants move away from models of thinking such as the ladder of inference. Utilizing mental model tools such as the advocacy/inquiry palette to encourage systems thinking in conjunction with systems concepts such as reinforcing processes, causal loops, and system archetypes have proven to be helpful tools to assist one in becoming a successful system thinker. Cultivating these behaviors will lead to the identification of complex interrelationships and the development of collaboration that can be encouraged in any