There are two essay questions and requests for diagrams in this assignment. The diagram can be made from Word or Excel (or any application that can be included in your Word document and uploaded with it).
- Identify a social phenomenon that is governed by deviation-amplifying feedback. In no more than 500 words, identify what value is amplified and how. Finally, identify what factors can break or interrupt the positive feedback loop.
- Diagram: Create a diagram of the components of the system and the feedback loop you identified in the first question. Make sure it clearly illustrates how positive feedback is generated by the system.
- In 500 words or less, identify a market for a particular kind of product or service you are familiar with and explain the way in which deviating-reducing feedback governs the supply of that product or service. (NB: I am asking about the supply, not the price of the product.)
- Diagram: Provide a simple diagram of the components of the system and the feedback loop.
There are 10 bonus points for constructing a working model of either or both feedback loops on InsightMaker
Submissions
- Use proper grammar, word choice, syntax (arrangement of words to create well-formed sentences), and writing mechanics (capitalization, punctuation, and spelling).
- Upload your paper to this assignment’s submission portal in Canvas.
- To view the rubric for the discussion, click the Settings icon (the 3 dots on the top-right corner) and select the Show Rubric button.
Cybernetic analysis of a social system
| Ratings | pts | |
| 10 pts | O pts | |
| Full | No | 10 pts |
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| 20 pts | O pts | |
| Full | No | 20 pts |
| Marks | Marks | |
| 20 pts | O pts | |
| Full | No | 20 pts |
| Marks | Marks | |
| 20 pts | O pts | |
| Full | No | 20 pts |
| Marks | Marks | |
| 10 pts | O pts | |
| Full | No | |
| Marks | Marks | 10 pts |
| 20 pts | O pts | |
| Full | No | 20 pts |
| Marks | Marks | |
| 10 pts | O pts | |
| Full | No | 10 pts |
| Marks | Marks | |
Criteria
Social system identification
Properly identified a social system (not a purely technical or biological system)
Diagram of positive feedback loop components
Ability to isolate the essential interacting parts and place them into a useful map or diagram
Correct Identification of positive feedback
Social system model really does exhibit deviation-amplifying feedback, and proper explanation of what is amplified and how
Correct identification of negative feedback
Social system really does exhibit deviation-reducing feedback and the deviation and sensors and effectors reducing it are correctly identified
Depth creativity and insight
A criterion for rewarding especially challenging, creative or insightful analyses, especially ones that identify aspects of the system that might result in pathologies or situations that would lead to dysfunctional outcomes or a breakdown of the system
Diagram of negative feedback loop components
Ability to isolate the essential interacting parts and place them into a useful map or diagram
Working model in InsightMaker
Build a working model on InsightMaker and provide a link to it.
Total Points: 110
