PERTURBATION (Endogenous)
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 2536 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Methodology or model |
Anomalous variation of one or various functions of the system, which endangers its correct working and in some cases it very survival.
Any homeostatic system possess the capability to fluctuate inbetween maxima and minima limits of stability, generally in order to adapt itself to variations of its environment. The fluctuations relate in most cases to one of the functions or subsystems.
However some fluctuations may cross some stability threshold of the system, not allowing any more a return to the steady state. If no other subsystem is able to compensate adequately this disequilibrium, the system is heading for destruction or, in some very exceptional cases, undergoes a very radical transformation (emergence process).
Endogenous perturbations are generally the final results of an accumulation of exogenous variations or perturbations. In some cases however, these are in turn a result of the systems actions. An example are cardio-vascular diseases, due at least partly to excessive smoking or inconvenient diet.