List of types of systems theory

This list of types of systems theory gives an overview of different types of systems theory, which are mentioned in scientific book titles or articles. The following more than 40 types of systems theory are all explicitly named systems theory and represent a unique conceptual framework in a specific field of science.

Systems theory has been formalized since the 1950s, and a long set of specialized systems theories and cybernetics exist. In the beginnings, general systems theory was developed by Ludwig von Bertalanffy to overcome the over-specialisation of the modern times and as a worldview using holism. The systems theories nowadays are closer to the traditional specialisation than to holism, by interdependencies and mutual division by mutually-different specialists.

A

 * Abstract systems theory (also see: formal system)
 * Action Theory
 * Adaptive systems theory (also see: complex adaptive system)


 * Applied general systems theory (also see: general systems theory)


 * Applied multidimensional systems theory


 * Archaeological systems theory (also see: Systems theory in archaeology)


 * Systems theory in anthropology
 * Associated systems theory

B

 * Behavioral systems theory
 * Biochemical systems theory


 * Biomatrix systems theory
 * Body system

C

 * Complex adaptive systems theory (also see: complex adaptive system)


 * Complex systems theory (also see: complex systems)
 * Computer-aided systems theory
 * Conceptual systems theory (also see: conceptual system)


 * Control systems theory (also see: control system)
 * Critical systems theory (also see: critical systems thinking, and critical theory)
 * Cultural Agency Theory

D

 * Developmental systems theory Books on Developmental systems theory :
 * S. Oyama, P.E. Griffiths, R.D. Gray, eds. (2001). Cycles of Contingency: Developmental Systems and Evolution. Cambridge.
 * Donald Herbert Ford and Richard Martin Lerner (1992), Developmental Systems Theory: An Integrative Approach. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
 * S. Oyama (1985). The Ontogeny of Information: Developmental Systems and Evolution. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Articles on Developmental systems theory:
 * Paul E. Griffiths, Rusell D. Gray (2005), "Discussion: Three ways to misunderstand developmental systems theory", in: Biology and Philosophy, Vol 20: pp. 417–425.
 * J.S. Robert, B.K. Hall, W.M. Olson (2002), "Bridging the gap between developmental systems theory and evolutionary developmental biology", in: Bioessays. 2002 Mar; Vol 24, no 3: pp. 290–291.
 * N. Salthe (2000), "Regaining the riches of a lost heritage: Development theory and natural philosophy", ISSS paper 2000.
 * E. Thelen, & L.B. Smith (1998). "Dynamic systems theories". In R. M. Lerner (Ed.), Theoretical models of human development. Volume 1 of the Handbook of Child Psychology (5th ed.), Editor-in-Chief: William Damon. New York: Wiley.
 * P. E. Griffiths and R. D. Gray (1994), "Developmental Systems and Evolutionary Explanation", in: The Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 91, No. 6 (Jun., 1994), pp. 277–304.
 * A. J. Sameroff (1983). "Developmental systems: Contexts and evolution". In W. Kessen (Ed.), Handbook of child psychology: Vol. 1, History, theory, and methods (pp. 237–294). New York: Wiley.

Also see:
 * Keywords, Developmental Systems Theory and psychology


 * Distributed parameter systems theory


 * Dynamical systems theory

E

 * Ecological systems theory (also see: ecosystem, ecosystem ecology)
 * Economic systems theory (also see: economic system)


 * Electric energy systems theory

F

 * Family systems theory (also see: systemic therapy)
 * Fuzzy systems theory (also see: fuzzy logic)

G
Articles:
 * General systems theory Books on General systems theory :
 * 1999, Yi Lin, General Systems Theory: A Mathematical Approach, 382 pp.
 * 1996, Lars Skyttner, General Systems Theory: An Introduction.
 * 1978, Arlene M. Putt, General Systems Theory Applied to Nursing.
 * 1975, Mihajlo D. Mesarovic & Yasuhiko Takaraha, General Systems Theory: Mathematical Foundations.
 * 1974, Mihajlo D. Mesarovic, Views on General Systems Theory: Proceedings, 268 pp.
 * 1972, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, The Relevance of General Systems Theory.
 * 1972, George Jiří Klir, Trends in General Systems Theory, 462 pp.
 * 1969, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications.
 * 1969, Frederick Jonathan Duhl, Nicholas Daniel Rizzo, William Gray, General Systems Theory and Psychiatry.
 * 1969, George Jiří Klir, Approach to General Systems Theory.
 * 1967, Helen MacGill Hughes & Roy Richard Grinker, Toward a Unified Theory of Human Behavior: An Introduction to General Systems Theory, 390 pp. Roy R. Grinker, Sr.
 * 1956, Anatol Rapoport, General Systems: Yearbook of the Society for the Advancement of General Systems Theory.
 * 1978, George Jiří Klir, General Systems Research Movement, in: Sys. Models for Decision Modeling, N. Sharif et al. (ed.), pp. 25–70.
 * 1978, Brian R. Gaines, Progress in General Systems Research, in: Applied General Systems Research, George Jiří Klir (ed.), Plenum, New York, pp. 3–28.
 * 1979, Brian R. Gaines, General Systems Research: Quo Vadis?, in: General Systems Yearbook, Vol. 24, pp. 1–9.
 * 1978, Mario Bunge, General Systems Theory Challenge to Classical Philosophy of Science, in: Int. J. Gen. Sys., Vol 4.
 * 1970, George Jiří Klir, On the Relation Between Cybernetics and General Systems Theory, in: Progress in Cybernetics, Vol 1, J. Rose (ed), pp. 155–165.
 * 1962, Anatol Rapoport, Mathematical Aspects of General Systems Theory, in: General Systems Yearbook, Vol. 11, pp. 3–11.
 * 1962, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, General Systems Theory – A Critical Review, in: General Systems Yearbook, Vol 7, pp. 1–20.
 * 1958, W. Ross Ashby, General Systems Theory as a New Discipline, in: General Systems Yearbook, Vol 3.
 * 1956, Kenneth Boulding, General Systems Theory – The Skeleton of Science, in: General Systems Yearbook, Vol. 1, pp. 11–17.
 * 1950, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, An Outline of General Systems Theory, in: British J. of Philosophy of Science, Vol 1, pp. 34–164.

H

 * Human systems theory (see: human systems)

I

 * Infinite dimensional systems theory

L

 * Large scale systems theory


 * Liberating systems theory


 * Linear systems theory (also see: linear system)


 * Living systems theory


 * LTI system theory

M

 * Macrosystems theory


 * Mathematical systems theory
 * Medical ethics systems theory


 * Modeling systems theory


 * Modern control systems theory
 * Modern systems theory


 * Multidimensional systems theory

N

 * Nonlinear stochastic systems theory (also see: stochastic modeling). General system approach

O

 * Operating systems theory (also see: operating system)


 * Open systems theory (also see: open system)

P

 * Pattern language was first conceived by Christoper Alexander and has many similarities with systems thinking. It too is a way of describing how things work holistically. Originally applied to architecture, it has been extended into other fields.
 * Physical systems theory (also see: physical system)
 * Pulley system

R

 * Retrieval system theory

S

 * Social systems theory (also see: social system)
 * Sociotechnical systems theory
 * Social rule system theory

T

 * Transit systems theory

W

 * World-systems theory