CORRELATION (Directive)
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 729 ▶ |
| Object type | Methodology or model |
Permanent or at least recurrent interrelation entailing a reciprocal control between two or more functions in a system, such as their interconnected action converges toward some coherent behavior.
G. SOMMERHOFF defines this concept in a formalized way (1969, p.l74-5) and proposes it as a suitable alternative to the so-called “Goal-directness”, which has finalists overtones.
Directive correlations undergo reinforcements with time. They are the base of all types of adaptation, on short, medium or long term (p.l77-81). They seem closely linked with the concepts of self-regulation, autopoiesis, organizational closure and hypercycle.
G. SOMMERHOFF emphasizes moreover that “Every directive correlation has a precise signification only in relation to the historical period of reference” (p.187). The most robust directive correlations are those which correspond to the oldest and most confirmed adaptations.