GROWTH (Directional)
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1483 ▶ |
| Object type | Methodology or model |
That growth be generally unequal in different directions is a basic condition for differentiation.
One cause of directional growth is expressed by C. ZELLER: “Growth becomes directional if, on one side of a minimal aggregation unit, free elements are more readily available than on the other sides” (1967, p.54).
ZELLER also states: “With the initiation of asymmetric growth, … a plan of development of the aggregate is laid down” (p.55).
This is the environmental cause of directional growth. It is difficult to pinpoint internal conditions of the growing system that may lead to the same trend, but their existence is doubtless, at least in biological and social systems. Internal asymmetric growth is probably related to the different levels of energy flows and of spatial substrate available for subsystems at different times.
M. MARUYAMA's models of deviation-amplifying processes illustrate the subtle interactions of rules, as applied on initial conditions, which lead to directional growth.