Feedback as a self-regulation mechanism in systems, involving the transmission of information about the outcome of actions, enabling correction, adaptation, and optimization of processes.
Introduction:
Feedback is a key communication mechanism in cybernetics theory. It is a process in which the result of a system’s action influences its further functioning, creating a mechanism for self-regulation and adaptation.
Characteristics:
Feedback is an informational mechanism that allows systems to:
- Automatically correct their actions
- Adapt to changing conditions
- Maintain balance
- Optimize processes
Types of Feedback:
- Positive (reinforcing) - amplifying changes in the system
- Negative (damping) - stabilizing and controlling processes
Practical Examples from Various Fields:
Economics and Business:
- Customer satisfaction surveys
- Employee reports and performance evaluations
- Market mechanisms correcting product prices
- Motivational systems in companies
Technology:
- Thermostats regulating temperature
- GPS navigation systems
- Automatic control in robotics
- Machine learning algorithms
Biology:
- Regulation of body temperature
- Immune system mechanisms
- Metabolic processes
- Homeostasis
Communication:
- Mediation and negotiations
- Group discussions
- Democratic processes
- Team communication
Conclusions:
Feedback is a universal adaptive mechanism present in all complex systems. It enables self-regulation, improvement, and effective functioning through continuous information exchange and action correction.
- O autorze
- Ks. Tomasz Włodarczyk
- © 2025 Ks. Tomasz Włodarczyk
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Obraz Robert A. Taylor, U.S. Department of Energy - “Feedback”. In: U.S. Department of Energy’s Introduction to System Dynamics.Public domain via Wikipedia Commons
