Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

In General Systems Theory, what are changes within a system that promote growth called?

1. Positive feedback loops

2. Negative feedback loops

3. Deviations

4. Directive tasks

The correct answer is: Positive feedback loops

In General Systems Theory, changes within a system that promote growth are referred to as positive feedback loops. This concept is rooted in the idea that when a system experiences a change that yields a beneficial effect, that change tends to amplify further within the system. A positive feedback loop occurs when the effects of an initial change lead to an enhancement or increase of that change, creating a cycle that fosters growth, adaptation, or development within the system. This can be contrasted with negative feedback loops, which work to maintain stability by counteracting changes, or deviations, which indicate disturbances that need to be addressed but do not inherently promote growth. Understanding how positive feedback influences systems is fundamental for therapists who consider the dynamics of familial or relational systems in the therapeutic process, emphasizing pathways to enhancement and development rather than merely maintaining the status quo.