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Using system dynamics modeling to understand the impact of social change initiatives
Author(s) -
Hirsch Gary B.,
Levine Ralph,
Miller Robin Lin
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/s10464-007-9114-3
Subject(s) - system dynamics , health psychology , dynamics (music) , action (physics) , community psychology , social system , social dynamics , behavior change , complex system , social change , computer science , management science , psychology , social psychology , public health , political science , engineering , artificial intelligence , medicine , law , pedagogy , physics , nursing , quantum mechanics
Community psychologists have a long history of interest in understanding social systems and how to bring about enduring positive change in these systems. However, the methods that community psychologists use to anticipate and evaluate the changes that result from system change efforts are less well developed. In the current paper, we introduce readers to system dynamics modeling, an action research approach to studying complex systems and the consequences of system change. We illustrate this approach by describing a system dynamics model of educational reform. We provide readers with an introduction to system dynamics modeling, as well as describe the strengths and limitations of the approach for application to community psychology.