Designing Systems for Human Betterment

This group report is a synopsis of our four-day conversation. The conversation of the first day was an analytic divergence of the key contructs in the theme followed by a synthetic convergence toward reconstitution of the theme in more specific terms. The secon day began with further examination of the theme leading to formulation of a set of 9 essential characteristics. The set was tested through presentation and discussion of 6 applications the second and third days. Our work moved toward closure by means of writing individually and in team, then corroboarating aspects of the group report, and finally planning the presentation of our process and results to the all participants the fourth day. our group process typified one form of team collaboration and participatory action research that implemeted the particular conversation design adopted by our group. Read Full Text Here: Designing Systems...

Directions for Research in Professional Schools of Psychology

As many of you know the WASC Commission has recently given full acredidation to the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco campuses of the school. CSPP as an educational institution grants the Ph. D. degree. These two events are not eompletely separable realities. Obviously, each one is important for specifi-c reasons, but together they carry tremendous implications and responsibilities for the future of the Professional Psychology Movement. Therefore, this symposium is very appropriate at this time, to present direcEions for research, as we see it, in a professional school of psychology.

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Evaluating Personal Health Care and Health Promotion Web Sites

The year 2001 marked the tenth anniversary of the first U.S. Web site [l]. Web sites have been available to the general public for the last 12 years. In 1996 the International Webby Awards were created by Tiffany Shlain. The following year, the Webby Award category "living/health" was established [2], and the health promotion website, Reuter's Health Information (www.reutershealth.com), won first place.

(This piece is a collaboration of authors)

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Experimental Method Within Systems Methodology: The Case for and Against

The experimental method dominates still most of mainstream science. Even with its general limitations, there can be some competent interface with systems methodology. This interface is described and applied to the human sciences. Some conditions in which both experimental and systems inquiry are compatible are contrasted with those in which they are antagonistic, even counterproductive. Control and complexity are thought to be two key consideratiions in deciding whether experimental method is to be included within or excluded from a systems methodology. Selective examples,  particularly from human activity systems, serve to reinforce the case for and against the use of experimental method within systems methodology.

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Architecture as the Cybernetic Self-Design of Boundary Conditions for Emergent Properties in Human Social Systems

Some concepts crucial in the contemporary interdisciplinary study of complex systems are reviewed, namely emergent properties of systems, the constructivist role of the observer, and approaches to modeling emergence. Considered is the generalization of boundary conditions to constraints able to induce processes of emergence and acquisition of new and emergent properties within human social systems. A cybernetic and systemic view of architecture is discussed beyond the functional aspects but with an emphasis on the constructivist representation by the observer. In this multi-layered system processes of emergence and acquisition of new properties occur. We propose the study of this system that is inclusive of its architecture, as a specific project able to unify, that is, cohere the various interrelated aspects of an architecture that is inherently part of the system. The human dimension is present in terms of the observer. By means of the cybernetics of architecture that humans experience, they come to know the design of architechturaly places and dwellings for human inhabitation. Participation and responsibility for human social systems, inclusive of their architectures, bring into consideration the ethical dimension and its power to induce social emergence, which may be understood as an application of cybernetics to human knowing.

(This piece is a collaboration of authors)

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Closing the Gap Between Systemic Research and Theraputic Practice

Systems Therapy may be problematic when the therapeutic process is also a research project. Moreover, being both the clinician (physician, therapist) and the researcher in systems therapy is a dual role that tends to compound the difficulty of integrating research into theraputic practice. The gap thereby created dissuades one from conducting research within the context of therapy. What can be done about it? A four perspective scheme to posing questions is discussed and recommendations follow to minimize the gap in systems therapy.

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Human Science Research: An Important Focus for the next Century

It is an honor and pleasure to be part of your first International Conference, Humanistic Psychology Towards XXICentury. I wish to thank the organizing committee and all present for your invitation and the opportunity to contribute to this historic occasion. The illutrations of my paper, taken from Collen (1994b), run in paratlel to the text to provide you with two complementary means to consider my points. Read Full Text Here: Human Science Research...

Human Science Research: Methods, Theory, and Thinking

Over the five days of discussion and group sessions, the seminar will take up content, process, and research issues about methods for conducting human science research with human beings. This year the seminar gives special emphasis to the interconnectivity among methods, theory, and thinking in the pursuit of disciplined inquiry. Read Full Text Here: Human Science Research

Implementation of Computer Networking

Our intention is to present work in progress in Canada and the United States. Perhaps we can best convey what we are doing by describing our projects in terms of four major aspects: type of institution, educational mode1, Computer Based Education model, and user experience and behavior. First we want to give you an overview of our projects, and then focus our remaining comments on some aspects of distance education.

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Living Systems Process Analysis and Program Evaluation

Systems is an orientation and an approach to studying the behavior and development of institutions (Banathy, 1973). Any aggregate of people can be construed as.a system, a set of elements interacting with a purpose. When such interactions become sufficiently established, the system often becomes recognized as an institution. Programs are commonly considered to be major functional components of institutions. An institution can be conceptualized as a system, and a program, as subsystem of the institution.

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Reflection and Metaphor in Conversation

Article translated to Polish. Read Full Text Here: Reflection and Metaphor...

Seven Activities to Engage Systems Thinking

Seven activities to engage systems thinking are described, then discussed in a dialogue format. The seven activities involve the creation and discussion of (1) sets in contrast to systems, (2) a simple device to mix colored waters, (3) harmony in music, (4) storytelling, (5) playing in contrast to designing a game, (6) a language game, and (7) a strategy that selects in contrast to  ombines. Discussion relates systems thinking via these activities to education, human betterment, human systems inquiry, pedagogy, and technology....

(This piece is a collaboration of authors.)

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Systems Inquiry and Information Technology

Thc systems inquiry is a conccptualization method of ways for informational-integrative and communication based cognitive reality understanding and imaging. It supports interactive  investigation and micro-macro integration in complex human activity systems design.

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That Which is Between a Person and Nature

Some photographs capture and reaffirm the conceived connection between a person and nature. Six original Iaser art color prints reveal six emergent qualities descriptive of this important, reoccurring theme in psychology and art.

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That Which is Between

The percieved connection between two entities of a photographic composition is of a different order than that amount the elements of a single entity. Three original laser art color prints, each depicting an important reocurring theme in psychology and art, are presented to illuustrate the contention.

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The Application of Living Systems Process Analysis to Institutional Development in Higher Education

Living Systems Process Analysis (LSPA) is a methodological tool stemming from Living Systems Theory GST). Currently, LSPA is being developed by a handful of practitioners for use at the level of organization to assess organizational effectiveness. There have been analyses  of army battalions (Rusco et al., 1985), elementary schools (Banathy and Mills, 1985), a public transportation system (Merker, 1985), a Thai electronics manufacturer, and a Japanese  vending company (Merker, 1986). The potential of LSPA for an ever increasing variety of organizations is even more apparent after reading Swanson and Illiller (1986), in which they explore the applicability of the LST framework to accounting information systems.

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The Genesis of a Human Science Research Methodology: A Systemic Response to the Complexification of Human Inquiry

In response to global trends and globalization of human activity, research methodology is being forced to move to more meta-level inquiry, which is an illustration of the process of complexification at work. Complexification drives researchers to consider a methodology in lieu of one method only, and even a metamethodology,when for example in ecological and social systems inquiry more macro-level and programmatic research interests seem to take highest priority. The paper considers some of the most salient decisions by researchers that tend to complexify human inquiry. Their set of decisions provide their point of convergence and genesis of their methodology....

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The Interrelationship of Taxonomic Categories

Human memory is often thought of as a multitude of associatively related units. Accessibility to any unit is supposedly provided by a somewhat well-defined and permanent sematic organization. Several theoritical accounts have emphasized the hierarchial character of this organization process (Bousfield & Cohen, 1953; Collins & Quillian, 1969; Mandler, 1968). According to these approaches, subordinate units are related through a superordinate, and lower order superordinates are linked through a higher order superordinate. Read Full Text Here: The Interrelationship of...

The Three Arenas of Human Science Methods

An air of mystery surrounds the question, "What is human science?" A simple answer would deny the complexity of the subject. My response, however, provides a working definition of human science as well as communicates the importance of this vital research field. Read Full Text Here: The Three Arenas...

Thoughts on a System for Design Learning

It is helpful for me to begin with a preliminary look at the title of our conference. I must ask, "What does a system for design learning mean to me?" My search for an answer will be guided by some introductory thoughts about learning, design learning, and system for design learning. After a brief consideration of these topics, I will discuss briefly my general interest in the question. Read Full Text Here: Thoughts on a System...

Two Generic Areas of Methodology for the Application of Cybernetics to Human Science Research

The conduct of scientific inquiry may be described in terms of a general research cycle that consists of several specific feedback loops. Scientific inquiry is a feedforward cycle withing the larger context of science, which in turn is embedded within manhy scientific and societal interests and constraints. These interwining cybernetic relations provide insight into successivley higher orders of cybernetics and the strategies scientists use to pursue their interests. Read Full Text Here: Two Generic Areas...

Research Ethics in Action: Cybernetic, Praxiological, and Systemic

Cybernetic and systemic aspects in one kind of evaluation system are described. A conceptual system of ethics based heavliy on praxiology is introduced. The convergence of the three perspectives is illustrated in a social system, whose primary purpose is the examination of risk to and protection of human beings to be used for research purposes. It is argued that this kind of evaluation system manifexts research ethics in action. Read Full Text Here: Research Ethics in Action

What Makes and Does Not Make a Research Method Systemic? Some Key Characteristics and Misconceptions

Three means to answer the question are taken by discussing: 1) four charactecistics that make a method systemic, 2) four characteristics that make a method scientific but not necessarily  systemic, and 3) seven characteristics that qualify a method as systemic for application to human activity systems. Some common beliefs about systems are presented and revisited in light of discussion of the characteristics. Read Full Text Here: What Makes and Does Not Make...

Trans-Disciplinary Inquiry Through Convergence of Architechture, Design, Art and Human Science

One process of thinking collectively and systemically is trans-disciplinarity by means of human inquiry. Two dimensions complexify research process: Engaging other inquirers from other disciplines and utilizing those disciplines in furthering inquiry. Research Activity System is promoted as a conceptual framework to facilitate productive, collaborative inquiry. The convergence of architecture, design, art and human science provides fertile ground for research  foci. Particular attention is given to the construct inducement and its relations to induction and emergence to illustrate purpose, meaning, and value of transdisciplinary inquiry. Read Full Text Here: Trans-Disciplinary Inquiry...

To Focus on Small Human Activity Systems, Designing-Planning, Local-to-Global Issues, and the Future: A Human-Centered Cybernetic-Systemic Ecology

As the social issues and conditions of life develop toward greater complexity and globalization, in response, a person can easily become bewildered and disoriented. Whether from concern to understand. cope, or ameliorate, one must eventually confront this increasingly common existential dilemma. A person may discover severaI choices to address his/her particular case. The more constructive choices entail being part of small group cooperative collaborative activities which contribute to fostering desired and prefered local-to-global conditions. Choice prompts individual as well as collective forms of action. Choice-to-action benefits from cognizance of the cybernetic and systemic principles applied to describing our relationships to all living beings within the biopsychosocial context of the human predicament. Our actions are political expressions of individual choice, whereby our participation in the pursuits of knowing, understanding, and improving converge, pulled together by a shared vision, and propelled by faith and hope in the future. Read Full Text Here: To Focus on Small Human...

The Research Activity System as Sociocybernetic-Systemic Flows Indicative of an Emergent Complexty in the Conduuct of Human Inquiry

Research processes comprise a general flow through phases of the research cycle. They may be described with sociocybernetic and systemic concepts. Praxiological decision making also  informs researchers studying phenomena associated with human beings, human activities, and human organizations. Research activities can be mapped at different levels of complexity from the person to the human dyad to the small group to the larger human organization. There are several vantage points to consider, namely, the human participant, principal investigator, host institution, funding agency, ethics review board, and bystander. The various perspectives, phases of the research cycle, context and circumstances of inquiry, and levels of complexity form the substantive research activity system. Read Full Text Here: The Research Activity System...

The Foundation of Science

To address the question "What is the foundation of science?" I base my response on the two substantive constructs of the question: science and foundation. Science. Science conveys to me the idea of pursuit in order to comprehend. It is first a process and second a result. The process is that of discovering and the result is the discovery. The process becomes a way of knowing and the outcome some form of knowledge. More recently, scientists have come to understand that the process is more creative than previous assumed, and consequently some forms of science involve not only discovering, but also creating. The status of knowledge has taken on a more temporary, transitory quality, as scientists create more nformative and useful manifestations of knowledge, periodically revising them to better reflect their 'comprehension of reality. Read Full Text Here: The Foundation of Science

Sustaining Conversation in Human Systems Inquiry: The Methodological Perspective

Human oriented research involves an interdependence upon human conversation, especially in its systemic and collective forms. Conversation is considered in terms of a core technological component essential to the vitality and sustainability of systemic research methodology. Specific attention is given to the roles and responsibilities of the systemist, who is the principal investigator and facilitator of a research team.

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Research Ethics in Action: Cybernetic, Praxiological, and Systemic Perspectives in An Evaluation System

Cybernetic and systemic aspects in one kind of an evaluation system are described. A conceptual system of ethics based heavily on praxiology is introduced. The convergence of the three perspectives is illustrated in a social system, whose primary purpose is the examination of risk to and protection of human beings to be used for research purposes. It is argued that this kind of evaluation system manifests research ethics in action.

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Praxiology and Sociocybernetics in Human Inquiry

Praxiology emphasizes the study of the efficiency and effectiveness of research methodology in action, where sociocybernetics maps the interactive relationships among those active  elements. As an avenue to advance systems research methodology and address claims of systems science to legitimacy as the science of complexity, the interface and complementarity of these perspectives toward human inquiry command our attention. The conduct of a single research project may be described in terms of a general feedfoovard loop that consists of several specific feedback loops. This general cycle typifies the process of inquiry situated within the larger context of the research community, which in turn is embedded within many scientific and societal interests and constraints. Careful consideration of effective practices and the prudent use of resources accompany ever grander projects to describe, explain, design, and steer complex human phenomena. The relations, practices, and embeddedness of human inquiry provide insights into the conc;eptual levels of cybernetics, the complexities of human phenomena and research processes, and the emergent research strategies scientists use to pursue their interests. The complexity of human inquiry as a social system is explored from the praxiological, sociocybernetic, and systemic points of view. Read Full Text Here: Praxiology and Sociocybernetics...

Needed: A Methodology for Studying the Interface and Integration of Communication Processing Systems?

A proposition is put forth for a systems methodology that examines the interface and integration of five basic communication processing systems, widely known in general terms to those working in human organizations.

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Methodological Perspectives on Human Systems, Design and Learning for a More Global Ethic

People working together with a common purpose can be conceptualized as human activity system. The group can take a degree of command over its own learning through practice in and implementation of systems design. This process is one form of systems inquiry, which may have important ramifications for the evolution of institutions, communities and societis, and the emergence of a global ethic.

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Knowledge, Management, and Learning when the context of the Orginization is Planetary

To manage the activities of others through application of communication technologies world-wide merits reconsideration of what well established concepts, namely management and learning, mean in the context of trans-national, inter-continental human organizations. A particular form of knowledge to manage and guide human organizations is becoming increasingly important due to operational complexities associated with global outreach. This form is called open knowledge. Team oriented approaches characteristically systemic, holistic, socioculturally sensitive, interdependent, chameleon-like, and expertise-wise diverse in know-how are more important than ever, while individuals must be allowed greater freedom to operate in the broadened context. Open knowledge may emerge when particular conditions exist. Expanding one’s conception of the learning organization helps one to comprehend as well as participate in global human activity systems. Appearance of and application of open knowledge brings consequential modifications of familiar and established local-regional managerial practices.

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Form and Value of Diversity in Human Science Research

This presentation explicates the theme by placing the researcher in relation to forms of diversity evidenced in human science research. The human participant, who the researcher depends upon for fulfilling the researcher’s interest, co-creates the research context and process with the researcher, often bringing into and projecting upon the researcher personal attributes of the participant. Individual differences (characteristics of participants) provides an inherent progenitor of diversity the researcher must embrace in any form of human science research. Human inquiry using more than one researcher presents the counterpart and complement to reveal a second form of diversity issues. The sociocultural background of participants and researchers constitute a third form of diversity to be understood in conducting human science research. Compounding and often derived from basic characteristics of both participants and researchers are their perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs that bring multiple perspectives to the research context, leading to special emphases in data processing, and presentation and interpetation of findings. Multiple perspectives is a central part of all general theories of systems, and this construct of perspectivisim provides a fourth form of diversity. Following from these forms of diversity, a meta analysis of a body of human oriented empirical research reports of the same phenomenon would provide yet another form of diversity, in that each report could potentially contribute a side of the phenomenon, like the facets of a jewel, to the fuller and comprehensive and holistic description of the phenomenon. The paper concludes with an appraisal of the value of convergent advantage, rather than discursive elimination, of the forms of diversity in advancing methodology for human science.

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Experimental Method Within Systems Methodology: The Case for and Against

The experimental method dominates still most of mainstream science. Even with its general limitations, there can be some competent interface with systems methodology. This interface is described and applied to the human sciences. Some conditions in which both experiimental and systems inquiry are compatible are contrasted with those in which they are antagonistic, even counterproductive. Control and complexity are thought to be two key considerations in deciding whether experimental method is to be included within or excluded from a systems methodology. Selective examples, particularly from human activity systems, serve to reinforce the case for and against the use of experimental method within systems methodology. Read Full Text Here: Experimental Method Within...

Evolutionary Guidance Systems and Systems Design

A group of people working together with a common purpose can be conceptualized as a Human Activity System. The group can become an Evolutionary Guidance System. When Systems Design is combined with these aspects of Systems Thinking and Methodology into a process for Systems Development, their integration represents an important and powerful advance in the application of the Systems Approach to societal issues and the redesign of social institutions.

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Disciplinarity in the Pursuit of Knowledge

From the perspective of systemics, Minati and Collen (1997) have described disciplinarity in terms of phases or forms of human activity to seek, develop, and produce knowledge. Disciplinarity manifests in four forms: singular, multiple, inter-relational, and boundary-breaking pursuits. Although there is the notion that knowledge resultant of each form is reflective of and delimited by its characteristic form, the presentation falls short in its depiction of the scheme as a whole to be a higher order conceptual system.

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Developing a Systemic Approach to Human Science Research Methodology

Six directions to advance research methods for human inquiry are described, illustrated, and discussed in relation to three levels of methodological complexity, which lead to the use of the more generic, perspectivistic, and integrative means to constract methodologies for the conduct of collaborative, disciplined, and human oriented inquiry. Read Full Text Here:  Developing a Systemic Approach...

Design of a Life: Sustainability and the Inquirer/Researcher Alias Designer in an Evolving World System

Taking the individual human being as a point of reference, this paper examines the sustainability of oneself as a contribution to human society and the biosphere in an evolving world. The proactive role as inquirer/researcher alias designer leads to active inquiry and design of one's life with influential consequences on the lives of other human beings and planetary life forms. To sustain a tenable position between the constructive and destructive forces of contemporary existence, a conscientious and ethical stance becomes central in one's self-understanding of life  ulfillment and the pragmatic nature of one's actions in the world.

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Design of a Conversation

This paper is a group report. which represents the summary of our conversation. It consists of six sections.

After general discussion about the topic of designing Fuschl type conversations. we hit upon the metaphor of Lighting the Fire. It became the central metaphor for our group process. The first section represents our exploration of the metaphor in regard to starting up a genuine conversation.

(This piece is a collaboration of authors)

 Full Text Here: Design of a Conversation