Definition
Systems theory is a conceptual framework based on the principle that the component parts of a system can best be understood in the context of the relationships with each other and with other systems, rather than in isolation.
Description
Systems theory was first introduced in the 1940s by biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy [13] and furthered by W. Ross Ashby [1] and George Bateson [2]. Bertalanffy initially argued for open systems as opposed to the more closed systems associated with classical science. Open systems refer to systems that interact with other systems or the environment outside of the systems, whereas closed systems do not. Open systems usually include biological and social systems, whereas closed systems are mostly mechanical systems. The boundaries of open systems are more flexible than those of closed systems, which are rigid and, for the most part,...
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References
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Wilkinson, L.A. (2011). Systems Theory. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_941
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_941
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