The emergence of systems thinking in behaviour change: a public health focus
The emergence of systems thinking in behaviour change: a public health focus
Simple or ‘complicated’ systems that display linear, predictable behaviours are contrasted with complex systems characterised by ‘emergent properties’ arising from inter-relationships between parts, feedback loops and sometimes unexpected effects arising from changes in other parts of the system. Particular characteristics of complex social systems and learning from change processes in complex social systems are described. The relevance of systems thinking to epidemiology, public health research and ‘evidence’ is noted including the importance of recognising wider context, the relationship between knowledge and uncertainty and development of new methodologies. It is noted that approaches to public health such as socio-ecological, community development and policy, regulation and ‘whole organisation’ approaches show some features of systemic approaches but that this is not always explicit or consistent. Opportunities and barriers to further development of systemic approaches to public health in the new organisational arrangements for public health in England are highlighted.
Keywords: Emergent properties, Systemic approaches, Public health
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