The Two-Feedback Loop Limitation Axiom

Over the last 50 years, many systems scientists have commented that people make faulty decisions where the behaviour of situations is shaped by feedback loops.

The Two-Feedback Loop Limitation Axiom was identified by Dr Terence Love in 2001 as the specific boundary beyond which faulty decision-making consistently occurs when humans attempt to mentally predict behaviour and consequences of situations.

It appears this two-feedback loop limitation of human cognition is a biological or physical limit in much the same way that humans typically cannot jump unaided 20 metres into the air.

Corollaries of the Two-Feedback Loop Limitation Axiom

Six corollaries of the Two-Feedback Loop Limitation Axiom are:

Corollary 1

It is not valid to ask an individual to mentally understand, predict or make decisions relating to the behaviour of situations whose behaviour is shaped by two or more feedback loops.

Corollary 2

It is similarly not valid, and of no benefit, to ask multiple people to mentally understand, predict or make decisions relating to the behaviour of situations whose behaviour is shaped by two or more feedback loops.

Corollary 3

Correct and valid decision-making depends crucially on accurate prediction of the consequences of decisions. It is not possible for an individual to make correct decisions where they are unable to mentally make correct predictions of consequences for situations whose behaviour is shaped by two or more feedback loops.

Corollary 4

The above limits the validity of many research methods involving individuals' opinions or mental predictions about situations whose behaviour is shaped by two or more feedback loops. This applies to focus groups, questionnaires and surveys, along with statistical analysis of responses that are based on participants' mental understanding, prediction, theories or decisions. More broadly, it applies to all research methods involving mental understanding, predicting, decision-making, information gathering and analysis, or making theories about such situations.

Corollary 5

The above axiom and corollaries call into question the validity of past research publications, theories and research findings as they relate to instances involving human mental understanding and prediction of situations whose behaviour is shaped by two or more feedback loops.

Corollary 6

Mathematical and physical analogical modelling offer a valid alternative to human mental limitations for systems that fulfil the assumptions needed for causal analysis and systems modelling. Otherwise, for the main group of situations, none of the above approaches are applicable. Instead, it requires Variety Dynamics or a similar non-causal approach.