feedback loops
Self-reinforcing cycles
A feedback loop is a cycle where outputs circle back to influence inputs.
In systems theory, positive feedback loops amplify change—success breeds success, panic feeds panic.
Negative feedback loops stabilize—a thermostat detects temperature changes and corrects them.
The term appears in biology, engineering, economics, and everyday observation: Social media algorithms create feedback loops that reinforce existing beliefs.
Authority to direct
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- servomechanismFeedback-controlled automatic mechanism
- thermostatAutomatic climate control device
governor · sensor · actuator · input · output · self-regulation · stability · equilibrium
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
- harmonicsFrequencies above the fundamental
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- echoReflected sound wave
reverberation · microphone · speaker · squeal · howl · gain · frequency · standing wave
Adding support or encouragement
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- habituationDiminished reaction over time
- rewardPayment for service
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
incentive · motivation · habit formation · self-fulfilling prophecy · escalation · addiction · compulsion · avoidance
Gaining knowledge gradually
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- confirmation biasPreferring belief-supporting information
- beliefTrust held as true
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
mental models · schemas · heuristics · echo chamber · filter bubble · rumination · self-doubt · overthinking
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- predator-preyEcological consumption relationship
- carrying capacityPopulation an environment sustains
- boom-bustCyclical economic volatility
- carbon cycleBiogeochemical element circulation process
nitrogen cycle · food web · keystone species · overshoot · collapse · resilience · recovery · balance
Spreading quickly online
- contagionDisease spread by contact
- bandwagonSurging popular cause
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
reputation · trust · reciprocity · polarization · amplification · network effects · social proof · trending
Sustained price level increase
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
- boom-bustCyclical economic volatility
- market correctionDecline reversing overvalued prices
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
bubble · panic · recession · growth · compound interest · debt spiral · investment · returns
control
Authority to direct
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- servomechanismFeedback-controlled automatic mechanism
thermostat · governor · sensor · actuator · input · output · self-regulation · stability · equilibrium · automation
resonance
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
- harmonicsFrequencies above the fundamental
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
echo · reverberation · microphone · speaker · squeal · howl · gain · frequency · standing wave · room acoustics
reinforcement
Adding support or encouragement
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- habituationDiminished reaction over time
- rewardPayment for service
punishment · incentive · motivation · habit formation · self-fulfilling prophecy · escalation · addiction · compulsion · avoidance · operant
learning
Gaining knowledge gradually
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- confirmation biasPreferring belief-supporting information
- beliefTrust held as true
perception · mental models · schemas · heuristics · echo chamber · filter bubble · rumination · self-doubt · overthinking · assumption
ecosystem
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- predator-preyEcological consumption relationship
- carrying capacityPopulation an environment sustains
- boom-bustCyclical economic volatility
carbon cycle · nitrogen cycle · food web · keystone species · overshoot · collapse · resilience · recovery · balance · regulation
viral
Spreading quickly online
- contagionDisease spread by contact
- bandwagonSurging popular cause
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
peer pressure · reputation · trust · reciprocity · polarization · amplification · network effects · social proof · trending · mob mentality
inflation
Sustained price level increase
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
- boom-bustCyclical economic volatility
- market correctionDecline reversing overvalued prices
speculation · bubble · panic · recession · growth · compound interest · debt spiral · investment · returns · pricing
- control theorycontrollability, observability, backstepping, passivity
- biomathematicsdifferential equations, Michaelis-Menten, pharmacokinetics, exponential growth, carrying capacity
- cell signalingreceptor, ligand, receptors, signaling, kinase
- industrial controlPLC, control systems, control room, control center, control panels
- learning supportsscaffolding, scaffolds, supports, modeling, prompts
- simulation modelspredictive models, Monte Carlo, climate models, growth models, carrying capacity