5. System thinking

Question 1

What does DPSIR stand for?

Answer 1

• Driver
• Pressure
• State
• Impacts
• Responses

Question 1

Name two shortcomings of the DPSIR framework

Answer 1

• Neglects feedback loops and feedback mechanisms
• Reductionism and linearity: oversimplification of processes and the assumption of a linear causal relationship
• Difficulty in quantification of the relationship among the different variables
• Limited focus on social and economic factors
• Poor temporal emphasis on relationships

Question 2

How can you tell something is a Balancing loop?

Answer 2

When there is an uneven number of - signs.

Question 3

What is a system?

Answer 3

A system is an interconnected set of elements that is coherently organized in a way that achieves something.

Question 4

Why are models sometimes not useful?

Answer 4

When they require too much simplification.

Question 5

Name two differences between traditional thinking and system thinking

Answer 5

Traditional

• Few elements
• Uni-directional
• No connections
• Mono-causality

Systems thinking

• Holistic
• Interconnections
• Complex whole
• Multi-causality

Question 6

Name 2 reasons why we use system thinking

Answer 6

• Interventions depend on interactions of various resources
• Main actors are social beings with specific needs
• Instability of the context in which interventions are made
• A need to represent the system, which brings us to system mapping

Question 7

What is meant with non-linearity?

Answer 7

Non-linearity means that the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable is not predictable.

Question 8

Name 4 system archetypes

Answer 8

1. Fixes that fail
2. Limits to growth
3. Shifting the burden
4. Tragedy of the commons
5. Drifting goals
6. Escalation
7. Limits to success
8. Success to the succesful

Question 9

Describe the Fixes that fail archetype and provide an example

Answer 9

• There is a problem, other viable try to fix this, this works at first, creating a Balancing loop.
• However, the fixes triggers an unintended consequence.
• This creates a Reinforcing loop.
• Example: Cane Toads in Australia

Question 10

Describe the Limits to growth archetype and provide an example.

Answer 10

• There is a condition
• A growing action changes condition
• The condition leads to a slowing action which limits the condition
• E.g. cycling more leads to more accidents; tourism

Question 11

Describe the Shifting the burder archetype and provide an example.

Answer 11

• Same problem arises over and over again
• Two goal seeking loops trying to dominate one thing
• One loop creates an unintended consequences directly affecting the functioning of the other loop
• E.g. international aid creating a growing dependence, hampering management capacity building and reducing law enforcement

Question 12

Describe the Tragedy of the Commons archetype and provide an example

Answer 12

• Different groups use same resource
• Increased use of resource leads to depletion
• E.g. Collapse of the Atlantic northwest cod fishery