IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/srbeha/v32y2015i5p534-545.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Unifying Theory of Systems Thinking with Psychosocial Applications

Author

Listed:
  • Derek Cabrera
  • Laura Cabrera
  • Erin Powers

Abstract

Systems thinking is a field characterized by a baffling array of methods and approaches. We posit that underlying all, however, are four universal rules called DSRP (distinctions, systems, relationships, and perspectives; each containing two co‐implying elements). We make distinctions between and among things and ideas, each implying the existence of an other. We identify systems, which are composed of parts and wholes. We recognize relationships composed of actions and reactions. We take perspectives consisting of a point (from which we see) and a view (that which is seen). We argue that DSRP offers a unifying and organizing principle for the field of systems thinking and an indispensable analytical tool for solving complex problems. At the same time, the metacognitive practice of applying these rules has significant psychosocial implications, such as increasing self‐awareness, empathy, and a sense of belonging, while decreasing stereotyping and self‐harming and other‐harming orientations. As such, DSRP has the potential to create advanced analytical thinkers with prosocial orientations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Derek Cabrera & Laura Cabrera & Erin Powers, 2015. "A Unifying Theory of Systems Thinking with Psychosocial Applications," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(5), pages 534-545, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:srbeha:v:32:y:2015:i:5:p:534-545
    DOI: 10.1002/sres.2351
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2351
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sres.2351?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rodolphe Durand & Roland Calori, 2006. "Sameness, Otherness? Enriching organizational change theories with philosophical considerations on the same and the other," Post-Print hal-00459454, HAL.
    2. Cabrera, Derek & Colosi, Laura, 2008. "Distinctions, systems, relationships, and perspectives (DSRP): A theory of thinking and of things," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 311-317, August.
    3. A Boyd & T Geerling & W J Gregory & C Kagan & G Midgley & P Murray & M P Walsh, 2007. "Systemic evaluation: a participative, multi-method approach," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 58(10), pages 1306-1320, October.
    4. C. West Churchman, 1970. "Operations Research as a Profession," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 17(2), pages 37-53, October.
    5. Margaret A. Neale & Max H. Bazerman, 1983. "The Role of Perspective-Taking Ability in Negotiating under Different Forms of Arbitration," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 36(3), pages 378-388, April.
    6. Rodolphe Durand & Calori Roland, 2006. "Sameness, Otherness? : Enriching organizational change theories with philosophical considerations on the same and the other," Post-Print hal-02276726, HAL.
    7. Z Zhu, 2011. "After paradim: why mixing-methodology theorising fails and how to make it work again," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 62(4), pages 784-798, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Bloomfield, Katherine & Williams, Terry & Bovis, Chris & Merali, Yasmin, 2019. "Systemic risk in major public contracts," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 667-676.
    2. Örsan Şenalp & Gerald Midgley, 2023. "Alexander Bogdanov and the question of unity: An emerging research agenda," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(2), pages 328-348, March.
    3. Raghav Rajagopalan & Gerald Midgley, 2015. "Knowing Differently in Systemic Intervention," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(5), pages 546-561, September.
    4. Jagustović, Renata & Papachristos, George & Zougmoré, Robert B. & Kotir, Julius H. & Kessler, Aad & Ouédraogo, Mathieu & Ritsema, Coen J. & Dittmer, Kyle M., 2021. "Better before worse trajectories in food systems? An investigation of synergies and trade-offs through climate-smart agriculture and system dynamics," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    5. Luis Arturo Pinzon‐Salcedo & María Alejandra Torres‐Cuello, 2022. "Systems thinking concepts within a collaborative programme evaluation methodology: The Hermes Programme evaluation," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(4), pages 708-722, July.
    6. Luis Arturo Pinzon‐Salcedo & Juanita Bernal‐Alvarado, 2022. "Dealing with complexity by using multilevel system boundary models," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(2), pages 175-184, March.
    7. Foote, J. & Midgley, G. & Ahuriri-Driscoll, A. & Hepi, M. & Earl-Goulet, J., 2021. "Systemic evaluation of community environmental management programmes," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(1), pages 207-224.
    8. Luis Arturo Pinzón‐Salcedo & Juanita Bernal‐Alvarado & Eloisa María Ramírez‐Franco & Mario Alejandro Pesca‐Perdomo, 2023. "Do jaguars of the Amazon rainforest have a systemic perspective?," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 3-15, January.
    9. Gerald Midgley & Erik Lindhult, 2021. "A systems perspective on systemic innovation," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(5), pages 635-670, October.
    10. Rohanna, Kristen L. & Christie, Christina A., 2023. "A problem-bound evaluation approach," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    11. Jagustović, Renata & Zougmoré, Robert B. & Kessler, Aad & Ritsema, Coen J. & Keesstra, Saskia & Reynolds, Martin, 2019. "Contribution of systems thinking and complex adaptive system attributes to sustainable food production: Example from a climate-smart village," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 65-75.
    12. Cabrera, Derek & Cabrera, Laura & Powers, Erin & Solin, Jeremy & Kushner, Jennifer, 2018. "Applying systems thinking models of organizational design and change in community operational research," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 932-945.
    13. Brocklesby, John & Midgley, Gerald, 2016. "Boundary games: How teams of OR practitioners explore the boundaries of interventionAuthor-Name: Velez-Castiblanco, Jorge," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(3), pages 968-982.
    14. Gerald Midgley & Jennifer Wilby, 2015. "Learning across Boundaries: Exploring the Variety of Systems Theory and Practice," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(5), pages 509-513, September.
    15. Xiangyun Du & Aida Guerra & Bente Nørgaard & Youmen Chaaban & Adrian Lundberg & Niels Erik Ruan Lyngdorf, 2022. "University Teachers’ Change Readiness to Implement Education for Sustainable Development through Participation in a PBL-Based PD Program," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Walsh, Mike & Kittler, Markus G. & Throp, Maria & Shaw, Fraser, 2019. "Designing a recovery-orientated system of care: A community operational research perspective," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 272(2), pages 595-607.
    2. Donald W. Light, 2007. "Toward an Economic Sociology of Compassionate Charity and Care," Working Papers 331, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Migration and Development..
    3. Cabrera, Derek & Cabrera, Laura & Powers, Erin & Solin, Jeremy & Kushner, Jennifer, 2018. "Applying systems thinking models of organizational design and change in community operational research," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 932-945.
    4. Brocklesby, John & Midgley, Gerald, 2016. "Boundary games: How teams of OR practitioners explore the boundaries of interventionAuthor-Name: Velez-Castiblanco, Jorge," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(3), pages 968-982.
    5. Sydelko, Pamela & Midgley, Gerald & Espinosa, Angela, 2021. "Designing interagency responses to wicked problems: Creating a common, cross-agency understanding," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 294(1), pages 250-263.
    6. Luis Arturo Pinzón‐Salcedo & Juanita Bernal‐Alvarado & Eloisa María Ramírez‐Franco & Mario Alejandro Pesca‐Perdomo, 2023. "Do jaguars of the Amazon rainforest have a systemic perspective?," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 3-15, January.
    7. Foote, J. & Midgley, G. & Ahuriri-Driscoll, A. & Hepi, M. & Earl-Goulet, J., 2021. "Systemic evaluation of community environmental management programmes," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(1), pages 207-224.
    8. Bradley Moore & Javier Calvo-Amodio & Joseph F. Junker, 2017. "Applying a Framework for Complementarist Intervention Approaches to Service Organizations to Achieve a Sustainable Holistic Management Model," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 30(5), pages 487-513, October.
    9. Rodolphe Durand & Robert M. Grant & Tammy L. Madsen & Eric Yanfei Zhao & Greg Fisher & Michael Lounsbury & Danny Miller, 2017. "Optimal distinctiveness: Broadening the interface between institutional theory and strategic management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(1), pages 93-113, January.
    10. Lubatkin, Michael H. & Durand, Rodolphe & Ling, Yan, 2007. "The missing lens in family firm governance theory: A self-other typology of parental altruism," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(10), pages 1022-1029, October.
    11. Monica Sharif & Terri Scandura, 2014. "Do Perceptions of Ethical Conduct Matter During Organizational Change? Ethical Leadership and Employee Involvement," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 124(2), pages 185-196, October.
    12. Ksenia Ivanova & Sondoss Elsawah, 2022. "Iterative Refinement of Multi-Method OR Workshop Designs through Boundary Critique: An Analytical Framework and Case Studies in Technology Utilisation," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 35(3), pages 345-374, June.
    13. Cronin, Karen & Midgley, Gerald & Jackson, Laurie Skuba, 2014. "Issues Mapping: A problem structuring method for addressing science and technology conflicts," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 233(1), pages 145-158.
    14. repec:pri:cmgdev:wp0702 is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Midgley, Gerald & Johnson, Michael P. & Chichirau, George, 2018. "What is Community Operational Research?," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 771-783.
    16. Michael C. Jackson, 2022. "Critical systems practice 3: Intervene—Flexibly executing a multimethodological intervention," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(6), pages 1014-1023, November.
    17. Gregory, Amanda J. & Atkins, Jonathan P., 2018. "Community Operational Research and Citizen Science: Two icons in need of each other?," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 1111-1124.
    18. Walsh, Mike & Kittler, Markus G. & Mahal, Dawn, 2018. "Towards a new paradigm of healthcare: Addressing challenges to professional identities through Community Operational Research," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 1125-1133.
    19. Fabusuyi, Tayo, 2018. "Is crime a real estate problem? A case study of the neighborhood of East Liberty, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 1050-1061.
    20. Weaver, Miles W & Crossan, Kenny & Tan, Hock B & Paxton, Steven E, 2018. "A systems approach to understanding the perspectives in the changing landscape of responsible business in Scotland," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 1149-1167.
    21. J-R Córdoba & G Midgley, 2006. "Broadening the boundaries: an application of critical systems thinking to IS planning in Colombia," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 57(9), pages 1064-1080, September.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:srbeha:v:32:y:2015:i:5:p:534-545. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/1092-7026 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.