Systems Theory Overview
Self-reinforcing feedback cycles can drive change. Unimpeded, they continue their escalation until they exhaust a necessary resource. I discuss several examples, including the evolution of life and the vicious cycles driving climate change. Vicious cycles can drive human problems, such as problem gambling, and identifying these dynamics can support recovery.
This is the overview page for the systems theory and feedback cycles section of the website. It has links to my pages on this topic.
The two other topics covered by this website each have an overview page:
Feedback cycles organise climate change and human behaviour, so systems theory, with its feedback cycles, is critical to both.
You can explore each topic from its overview page and follow the links that interest you.
Systems theory
Introducing the systems theory used on this website
- Systems theory and feedback, in sound systems and more
Human functioning
The feedback cycles organising human functioning:
- Self-reinforcing feedback & human behaviour
- Self-organising human functioning
- …
- Amplifying feedback organising habits (Weinberg)
- Amplifying feedback & psychodynamics (Malan)
- Amplifying feedback & cognitive interventions
- Symmetrical & complementary relationships: Amplifying cycles
- …
- Chaos Theory & Amplifying Feedback
- Life paradoxes & cyclic logic
Climate change
- Nine example vicious cycles driving climate change
- The vicious cycle of migration, right-wing populism and climate inaction
Evolution of Life
Tipping points
Supporting Change
The other two overview pages
Systems theory is critical to the two other topics covered by this website, and each has an overview page:
Loaded: 27 Jan 2026; Updated 26 Feb 2026