A feedback loop is a dynamic system through which outputs or consequences of actions are circled back as inputs, forming a chain of cause-and-effect relationships that continuously inform and reshape behaviors and processes. In the context of complex adaptive systems, such as societies or ecosystems, feedback loops are crucial for maintaining equilibrium or driving evolution. By responding to the outputs they generate, these systems can self-regulate, adapt, and evolve. Positive feedback loops amplify changes, often leading to exponential growth or escalation, while negative feedback loops counteract changes, promoting stability and balance. Understanding feedback loops enables us to discern pattern recognition and system behaviors, ultimately fostering more effective decision-making and governance in an increasingly complex world.

See also: choice making, complex system, game theory, hill climbing, reciprocal narrowing