Source: Image of Respitory System, Public Domain, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Respiratory_system_complete_en.svg; Image of U.S. Post Office, Public Domain,http://mrg.bz/QH52bo; Image of Mail Truck, Public Domain, http://mrg.bz/bOvsBN; Image of Post Box, Public Domain, http://mrg.bz/le07KU
Hi, I'm Julie Tietz, and welcome to Conflict Resolution-- Putting the Pieces Together. Today we're going to talk all about systems and the basic structure that underlies all systems.
So what are systems? Well, we're defining systems as a set of components whose behaviors affect one another. And they are interacting together directly or indirectly. And they cause a sequence of events leading towards an outcome.
And there are all types of systems that I'm sure you are familiar with. For example, like this picture represents the respiratory system. There is other bodily systems, like the digestive system. Or even outside of our bodily systems such as the education system, those types of things. Those are all systems.
So let's go and talk a little bit more about the structure of a system. And we're going to do that through the respiratory system. I know you can't really read the words on the photo, but that's OK. I just want you to see all of the pieces that are involved in the respiratory system.
In a system, we have a structure. And that is a set of relationships between components and their behaviors within the system. So a structure is how the components and behaviors of a system are interacting and relating to each other. And a component within a system are those specific parts or elements that make up the system, so the pieces that are a part of it.
So for example in the respiratory system, we are talking about components such as the nasal and the oral cavity, the esophagus and the lungs. Those are all components of the respiratory system. And these components are directly or indirectly related to each other.
And the system also has behavior. And so it's the processes or the actions of the components within the system. So how the nasal and oral cavity and the esophagus all interact with each other. And they all interact to produce some breathing, for example, in the respiratory system.
And the behavior then produces inputs and outputs. And so in our respiratory system, the input is the oxygen that we are breathing in. And the output is the carbon dioxide that we are exhaling through the lungs and the rest of the components involved in the respiratory system.
And in systems, we have interconnectivity. So all of these parts and components and behaviors and processes are all connected to one another in some way to function as the system. And these essentially all influence one another.
And when we are also looking at systems, we can look at the system's structure and decompose it. So when we decompose, we are looking and analyzing the system as a collection or a part of components and other subsystems.
So a subsystem is just one system that is a part of an entire larger system. So if you think about the respiratory system, that's just one system within our body for us to function with other systems. So part of the respiratory system is connected to the circulatory system, to the vascular system, et cetera.
So we also see systems outside of our bodily systems in human and organizational settings. So for example, let's use the United States Post Office. That's a system. It works together.
First of all, somebody comes and puts a piece of mail in the mailbox. And then that's one component of that system. And then the mail carrier comes to pick it up. And that's another component of the system. And then they deliver that to the post office. And then it gets sent out for processing.
And after it is processed, it's sent to its local destination post office. And then that's also configured and processed and put into the mail carrier's bag. And then eventually it ends up in your mailbox.
So you can see how all of these components work together as a structure and the behavior and the inputs and the outputs and how it's all interconnected as part of a whole larger system of communication. And if there's ever a glitch in the system, it affects the entire system as a whole, since it's interconnected. So if there's a weather storm of some sort and you can't get the mail that day, maybe you don't get your bill out on time, or whatever the circumstance may be.
So systems are outside of our body systems. They're also in organizations such as the post office. And I'm sure you can think of others in your own life as well.
Now let's talk about human systems in particular and how that's related to conflict. So the dynamics that are involved within human systems can feel conflict and also can feel conflict resolution. So for example, let's say there are interpersonal relationships within human systems.
And for some reason or another, we're in conflict let's say with one of our co-workers. And that really can have an effect on the whole system. And in order for the structure of the system of our organization to function and to work, we need to repair that. And so the dynamics of that human system really want us to come together into resolution at some point.
And so we want to have a sense of group cohesion when we are working together in a human system. And so because of that want and need for a cohesion in our group, we again are probably more likely, then, to go through a conflict resolution process.
So now let's check out our key points here on systems before we go. So a system is a set of components whose behaviors affect one another. And we're interacting as a whole. And in human systems, we are doing the same thing.
We have components and a structure and behaviors with inputs and outputs where we are all interconnected. So each of these pieces of the system influence each other directly or indirectly.
An example of that, we talked about the United States Post Office. And we also talked about our body system, such as the respiratory system, which was the example we used. But there are so many other systems out there that have these basic structures.
And in human groups, there are dynamics that enable conflict and also have opportunities for conflict resolution. So those examples that we used about maybe an interpersonal conflict with somebody at work. And then the reason for or want to have resolution is to have some group cohesion.
That's all I have for you today. Here's your key terms. Feel free to pause and look them over a little closer. I'm going to go through another slide as well.
Thank you so much for taking the time out. I really hope that you've learned something. And I can't wait to catch you again next time.