Systems Theory

A. Three main concepts about systems theory.

Ð'„Ð'« The ripple effect

1. A chain reaction that spreads across a system affecting almost all or all parts.

2. The ripple effect can start as a small blip that alone has little importance. However, when this small incident starts to affect other parts of a large system, it spreads causing magnified problems for the group and its individual members. Cal State University, Chico had poor budget planning and too many extra expenses over the last few years, such as a brand new student union building and a new building for physical education and recreation majors. Due to the extra expenses, tuition has been steadily increasing, while funding for many things has been cut. Because of the cuts, fewer professors are being staffed. With fewer professors classes are being canceled, class size has dramatically increased, and it is taking students a longer time to graduate.

Ð'„Ð'« Synergy

1. This is when the individual parts of a group create a greater outcome than just the sum of the members. The potential that 4 individuals bring into a situation in multiplied because of the group dynamic.

2. A group consisting of 6 members has 6 individual personalities, intelligence levels, creativity, work ethic and numerous other traits. If synergy occurs, when these individuals get together their potential is not merely the sum of their traits. They become amplified by each other and produce a greater result. When the hunt for Saddam Hussein was on, our government agencies that have always worked alone in the past collaborated. With the FBI, CIA and other powerful agencies pooling their resources and knowledge, a greater goal was able to be accomplished; the capture of Saddam Hussein.

Ð'„Ð'« Negative Synergy

1. This is when individual parts of a group have a negative influence on each other, causing the sum of the individuals to be less than expected.

2. This can happen due to a single member with a negative attitude, or multiple members clashing due to ego or refusal to compromise and adapt. If 6 people get together in a group, and the group dynamic is compromised because of clashing traits, it is negative synergy. The 2003-2004 49ers team is a good example of this. They had amazing players, but a conflict between the quarterback and the wide receiver led the team to a rough season. A good quarterback and a great receiver along with a talented offense and strong defense should have let them to at least the playoffs. However, personal issues weakened the team and led to a poor season.

B. How each concept has affected a group in which I have been a member.

Ð'„Ð'« The ripple effect

When my dad got sick about 3 years ago, my family experienced a harsh ripple effect. Our family business, a medium sized property management company, is owned by both of my parents. My dad is the broker, my mom coordinates maintenance and bookkeeping, and either my older brother or I manage office administration, depending on if IÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦m in school or not. When my dad got sick, it put enormous pressure on my mom and I to cover the aspects of the business that we had never dealt with. With us putting in extra time and effort (which we gladly did) my younger brother and sister were handed down a lot of responsibility. My brother had to start doing grocery shopping, driving for my sister who is only 14, and extra general chores around the house. My sister started getting dinner ready after she got out of her after school sports, while juggling homework and basketball games. Change spread to all of my immediate family, and we adapted and overcame. The ripple moved beyond my immediate family as well to a few close relatives. My aunt and grandma in particular put in a lot of extra time driving to the bay area to help my parents as much as they could.

Ð'„Ð'« Synergy

We have great synergy at my work. I work in a coffee shop where itÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s