Chaos offers educational communications and technology new systems' tools and ideas; i.e., it provides the system with a deterministic "I don't know" state within which new activity patterns can be generated. Previous characterizations and paradigms of systems stated that simple systems behaved in simple ways, complex behaviors implied complex…

This paper reviews family therapy with chronically dysfunctional families including the development of family therapy and current trends which appear to give little guidance toward working with severely dysfunctional families. A theoretical stance based upon the systems approach to family functioning and pathology is presented which suggests: (1)…

A policy system design that can benefit from the dynamics of small group behavior without suffering from the adverse effects associated with group thinking, in which the members of small groups acquire a concurrence seeking tendency, is comprised of three subsystem functions: (1) a sub-system normative function which requires that small groups be…

Expressing the need for a description of communication that is equally applicable to all the social sciences, this report develops a general model of the communication process based upon the principle of convergence as derived from basic information theory and cybernetics. It criticizes the linear, one-way models of communication that have…

Argues that human urban social complexity has been made possible by social evolution rather than biological evolution, and that this social evolution has had to counter individual selfish tendencies which biological evolution has continued to select as a result of the genetic competition among the cooperators. (Author/JM)

The systematic measurement of the quality of patient care based on outcome data is becoming a part of the delivery of that care. The author reviews the history of an early approach developed and crusaded by Dr. E. A. Codman 60 years ago and suggests some lessons it holds for today's health care professionals. (Editor/JT)

A model of infant social behavior is developed which incorporates attachment to the familiar and fear of strangers as well as detachment from the familiar and exploration of the stranger. (JMB)

Strategic management is concerned with determining the long-term goals of an enterprise and deciding on the most appropriate course of action to achieve them. Strategic planning can revive the entrepreneurial characteristics of a business whose survival otherwise could be threatened. (Author/WM)

Article focused on the different processes of thought and expression utilized by artists to create their works and how to include those processes in the development of an art program. (RK)

An integration of "systems" and "synectic" approaches and an unconventional use of role-playing are salient features of the problem solving workshop, looking for fresh approaches to the improvement of undergraduate education. (JH)

Describes a systems oriented, individualized approach to teaching composition to college freshmen. (RB)

The vocational educational module of the Rhode Island Educational Management Information System is a data base that is an ongoing system that has been designed both to grow and to be modified to meet the needs of local and State administrators in the management of vocational education within Rhode Island. (Author)

The Living Systems Framework was used to generate four categories of parent behaviors that might affect processes responsible for eliciting prosocial behavior in children: (1) teaching values, rules, and standards; (2) providing opportunities for rehearsal and mastery; (3) providing opportunities for self-regulation and self-control; and (4)…