DEVIATION-AMPLIFYING PROCESSES AND THE SCAPEGOAT ROLE

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The concept of deviation-amplifyting mutual causal processes is associated with the science of cybernetics although it was known in other fields such as Economics before the development of Cybernetics. Mutual causal processes are defined as the means by which elements within a system influence each other either simultaneously or alternatingly. (Maruyama:304). There are two types of mutual caual processes. The first is a deviation-counterating procces and the second is a deviation-amplifying process. In systems language the former provides negative(self correcting) feedback and maintains the status quo while the latter provides positive feedback and if left unchecked leads to the destruction of the system. Maruyama argues that the value of deviation-amplifying processes have been overlooked and that they represent the essential process of charge in all living systems. The application of these concepts to human interaction enables us to understand a wide variety of phenomena such as economic growth, cultural differention, interpersonal relations, and even biological dysfunction or abnormality The deviation-amplifying process begins by chance with what Maruyama calls "an accidental kick" which in turn builds up deviation and with reinforcement leads to deviation from the initial condition. (Maruyama:304).