Foundations
It is a way of understanding the world by focusing on the relationships among a system’s parts rather than the parts themselves
Systems Thinking
This is considered the basic unit of analysis in systems thinking, where an initial change triggers a series of events that eventually return to affect the original variable.
Feedback Loop
Leverage points are places in a system where __________ changes can create big and lasting effects.
Small
True or False: A system trap is when a solution unintentionally worsens a problem or fails over time because the system’s behavior is misunderstood.
True
These are commonly known as intractable problems, messy problems, socially complex issues, or complex socio-technical systems.
Wicked Problems
Why is the Systems Thinking framework important?
Addresses complex (“wicked”) problems, avoids unintended consequences and myopic decisions, and shifts the focus from symptoms to root causes
It amplifies change, leading to either exponential growth or rapid decay.
Reinforcing / Positive Loop
Why do event-based solutions usually fail in the long term?
Because they treat symptoms, not root causes.What are the three levels of leverage points in systems thinking?
What are the 3 common system traps?
1. Fixing the symptoms instead of the root causes
2. Unintended consequences
3. Non-linear thinking in a complex system
Why are real-world or wicked problems hard to solve?
Give at least 1 one from the 4 points shown earlier.
- Problems are complex and interconnected
- Multiple actors and causes
- No right/wrong solutions; only better/worse
- No single, simple solution
A solution that successfully fixes a problem in the short term proves that the root cause of the problem has been correctly identified.
false. (Short-term success does not mean the system has changed)
It acts as the system's “brakes,” providing resistance and stability by reversing or counteracting initial changes to reach equilibrium.
Balancing / Negative Loop
True or False: The three levels of leverage points are events, patterns of attitude, and system structure.
False (The three levels of leverage points are events, patterns of BEHAVIOR, and system structure.)
How are system traps connected to leverage points?
A. System traps occur when systems have too many leverage points
B. System traps happen when interventions focus on weak leverage points instead of deeper system changes
C. System traps are caused by a lack of action within a system
D. System traps only occur in environmental systems and not in social systems
B
Give at least 1 example each of a traditional problem and a wicked problem shown on the screen earlier.
Traditional Problem:
Fixing a broken machine
Solving a math equation
Repairing a leaking pipe
Wicked Problem
Poverty
Climate change
Drug addiction
Identify the thinking approach: A policymaker responds to recurring traffic congestion by repeatedly adding more lanes, believing congestion persists because previous expansions were too small.
Linear thinking. (The issue is blamed on solution size, not system structure.)
Example of balancing loop: High backlog means lower product availability which leads to less _________ as customers value availability.
Product attractiveness
Why does Donella Meadows consider paradigms the most powerful leverage point?
They shape beliefs and behaviors that design systems
What is a way to avoid system traps?
A. Focusing on short-term results and quick fixes
B. Increasing the number of interventions in the system
C. Changing mental models that shape system behavior
D. Treating complex systems as simple cause-and-effect problems
C
Give the 3 examples stated earlier on how systems thinking can help
Biology Teachers’ Systems Thinking Practices
Tackling Childhood Obesity
E-Learning Climate Change
Why is linear thinking described as both reductionist and event-oriented?
reductionist - it simplifies complex problems by breaking them down into smaller, independent parts; event-oriented - it focuses on specific events or immediate causes rather than the broader system or long-term patterns
This consists of variables, links, and loops to help identify patterns of change and the interplay between tangible and intangible elements.
Causal Loop Diagram
Which intervention mentioned represents a high-leverage system structure change for marine pollution?
Redesigning waste collection, treatment, and disposal systems
Environmental problem-solving is especially vulnerable to system traps because it involves ___, ___, and ___
Delays, Feedback loops, Human behaviour
Summarize what happened to Operation Cat Drop and The Cobra Effect.
Operation Cat Drop: Malaria outbreak in Borneo → causing rat populations to grow → idea of cat drops → ended up causing even more problems
The Cobra Effect: Venomous cobra in India → Government introduced incentives to dead cobras → people started breeding more cobras → government stopped the incentives → more cobras were present than before