Complex systems theory

field of mathematics about dynamical systems highly sensitive to initial conditions

theoretical concept in sociology

thumb|A feedback loop where all outputs of a process are available as causal inputs to that process

interdisciplinary field about the study of systems

expected value of the amount of information delivered by a message

Complexity characterizes the behavior of a system or model whose components interact in multiple ways and follow local rules, leading to non-linearity, randomness, collective dynamics, hierarchy, and emergence.

system composed of many interacting components

process in which single-celled organisms monitor their population density by detecting the concentration of small, diffusible signal molecules produced by the cells themselves.

argument by proponents of intelligent design that certain biological systems are too complex to have evolved

study of non-linear complex systems

medical procedure that separates patients into different groups

system in which a perfect understanding of the individual parts does not automatically convey a perfect understanding of the whole system's behavior

type of computational models

outcomes that are not the ones intended or foreseen by a purposeful action, resulting from a variety of reasons, including the world's inherent complexity as well as cognitive or emotional biases

area of mathematics used to describe the behavior of complex dynamical systems, usually by employing differential equations or difference equations

scientific study of the Earth's spheres and their natural integrated systems

Cliodynamics () is a transdisciplinary area of research that integrates cultural evolution, economic history/cliometrics, macrosociology, the mathematical modeling of historical processes during the longue durée, and the construction and analysis of historical databases.

planetary-scale changes in the Earth system

branch of sociology that uses computational methods to study social phenomena

non-fiction work by Stephen Wolfram

simulation language and accompanying graphical notation

application of complexity theory to economics

ternal biological process referring to the activity of the vagus nerve, which originates in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem

Conceptual framework

approach to research that emphasizes the study of complex systems

patterns of behavior of a system

event that occurs with low frequency, often with a widespread effect which might destabilize systems