Glossary

Archetype dynamics refer to the behavior that a system’s structure creates over time. It is the story of the archetype, and you can see it on a graph that shows how different parts of the system change. While the structure is the “why” of the problem, the dynamics are the “what” you see happening in the real world.

The archetype structure is the specific arrangement of reinforcing and balancing loops that form the blueprint of a systems archetype. It is the reason a system behaves the way it does. You can visualize a structure with a causal loop diagram, which shows how all the variables in the system are connected and influence one another.

A balancing loop is a self-correcting cycle that works to bring a system back to a stable state or a specific goal. It is a force that resists change and tries to keep things in check. Think of a car’s cruise control system; when the car goes a little too fast, the system automatically slows it down to get it back to the set speed.

A Behavior Over Time (BOT) graph is a graph that shows how a problem or a variable in a system changes over time. These graphs are a useful tool for understanding archetype dynamics. They can help you see if a problem is getting worse or better, and if it is getting worse quickly or slowly.

A causal loop diagram is a tool used in Systems Thinking to visualize a system’s structure. It uses arrows to show how different elements in a system affect each other. A “Causal Loop Diagram” is a graphical representation of the system.

The leverage point is the single most important place in a system where a small change can have a big, positive effect on the whole system. When a problem keeps coming back, it means that the easy solutions are not working. A true, lasting solution requires you to find and change the leverage point.

A reinforcing loop is a powerful cycle that makes a change happen faster in the same direction. It is a self-growing process that can lead to either rapid growth or a rapid collapse. Think of it as a snowball rolling downhill — the more it rolls, the bigger it gets, which makes it roll even faster.

Systems Archetypes are classic “stories” or common patterns that repeat themselves in many different situations, from a company’s struggles to a person’s personal habits. They are one of the most powerful tools in Systems Thinking because they act as a kind of shorthand. Instead of trying to figure out a new problem from scratch, you can look at its behavior and match it to a known archetype.

Systems Thinking is a way of looking at the world that focuses on recognizing the connections between different parts of a system. Instead of viewing problems as isolated events, you see them as part of a larger, interconnected web. This approach helps you understand how actions in one part of a system can cause unexpected consequences in another, and it moves the focus from blaming individuals to understanding the underlying patterns and structures.