Text 13 . Computer Models of Social Systems

The approach used here to examine the world system combines the strength of the human mind with the strength of today's computers. The human is best able to perceive the pressures, fears, goals, habits, prejudices, delays, resistance to change, dedication, good will, greed, and other human characteristics that control the individual facets of our social systems. But the mind is nearly useless for anticipating the dynamic behaviour that the system implies. Here the computer is ideal. It will trace the interactions of any specified set of relationships without doubt or error.

The computer is instructed by giving it a model. A model is a set of descrip­tions that tell the computer how each part of the system acts. It is now possible to construct realistic laboratory models of social systems. Such a model is a simplification of an actual social system, but it can be far more comprehensive than the mental models we otherwise would use as the basis for debating social policy.

A computer model embodies a theory of system structure. It states assump­tions about the system. When assumptions are clearly stated, they encourage deeper discussion and lead to better selections from the vast numbers of frag­ments which are contained in our mental models. Making a computer model enforces a rigor and discipline that is missing in discussion and writing.

The most important concept in establishing the structure of a system is the idea that all actions take place within "feedback loops." The feedback loop is the closed path that connects an action to its effect on the surrounding conditions, and these resulting conditions in turn come back as "information" to influence further action. We often erroneously think of cause and effect as flowing in only one direction. We speak of action A causing result B. But such a perception is incomplete. Result B represents a new condition of the system that changes the future influences that affect action at A.

Feedback loops govern action and change in systems from the simplest to the most complex. As an example, one's condition of weariness causes adjustment in the length of time devoted to sleep, sleep changes the state of weariness, and the new degree of weariness further adjusts the time for sleep. There is a closed-loop structure between action (sleeping) and the system condition (weariness) that in turn effects the action. All the processes of growth and equilibrium are generated within feedback loops.

 

Exercise 113 . Answer the questions on text 13.

1. What factors are used to examine the world system? 2. What

are the capabilities of the human mind? 3. What are the advantages of the computer? 4. How is the computer instructed? 5. What is a computer model? 6. Why must assumptions be clearly stated? 7. What is the most important concept in establishing the structure of a system? 8. What is a “feedback loop”? 9. What does a feedback loop govern? 10. What processes are generated within feedback loops?

Exercise 114 . Match the verbs and the nouns:

1. embody 2. combine 3. resist 4. perceive 5. simplify 6. assume 7. comprehend 8. base 9. enforce 10. err

a) enforcement b) basis c) assumption d) embodiment e) error f) resistance g) simplification h) comprehension i) combination j) perception

 

Exercise 115 . Give nouns corresponding to the following verbs: state, dedicate, behave, compute, act, generate, describe, encourage, select, direct, adjust, grow.

 

Exercise 116 . Translate the following sentences taking into account different meanings of the word “will”.

The computer will trace the interactions. 2. What is lacking is the political will to get anything done about global warming. 3. My grandfather left me some money in his will. 4. Mr. Brown claims the police forced him to sign a confession against his will. 5. Where there’s a will there’s a way. 6. Will you be quiet! 7. Will you shut the door? 8. Oil will float on water. 9. Will you have some more tea? 10. With the best will in the world, I don’t see what more I can do.

 

Exercise 117 . Translate the word combinations containing Present and Past Participles.

The approach used to examine…; specified set of relationships; the surrounding conditions; these resulting conditions; action A causing result B.

 

Exercise 118 . Read and translate the international words. Compare their pronunciation and meanings in English and Ukrainian.

Ideal, action, act, instruct, basis, construct, realistic, actual, mental, debate, theory, structure, discussion, selection, fragment, number, concept, idea, effect, result, complex, process, generate, laboratory, discipline, dynamic, equilibrium, model, system, examine, human, characteristic, control, individual, social.

 

Exercise 119 . Match the synonyms.

1. imply 2. enforce 3. encourage 4. specify 5. embody

a) represent b) suggest c) make people obey a rule or law d) give someone the confidence e) state something in an exact and detailed way

 

Exercise 120 . Compose a dialogue on “Computer Models of Social Systems”.

 

Exercise 121 . Learn the following words and word combinations.

rate	– темп; рівень; швидкість
subtract	– віднімати
numerical value	– чисельне значення
cornerstone	– наріжний камінь
fraction	– доля, порція; дріб
principal variable	– основна змінна величина
valve symbol	– клапаноподібний символ
dashed line	– пунктирна лінія

 

Exercise 122 . Read, translate and give the gist of text 15.

 

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