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Cited by 372Chaos, Complexity, and EducationComplex Systems and Decision MakingComplex Systems and Dynamics

Complexity Theory: An Overview with Potential Applications for the Social Sciences

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Turner, John R., Baker, Rose M.·2019·Systems
DOI 10.3390/systems7010004
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Abstract

Systems theory has been challenged in the recent literature due to its perceived disconnection from today’s research and practice demands. Moving away from the reductionist frameworks and the complicated domain predominated by known unknowns and order, a call is being made to the social sciences to begin adopting complexity theory and newer connectionist methods that better address complexity and open social systems. Scholars and scholar-practitioners will continue to find the need to apply complexity theory as wicked problems become more prevalent in the social sciences. This paper differentiates between general systems theory (GST) and complexity theory, as well as identifies advantages for the social sciences in incorporating complexity theory as a formal theory. Complexity theory is expanded upon and identified as providing a new perspective and a new method of theorizing that can be practiced by disciplines within the social sciences. These additions could better position the social sciences to address the complexity associated with advancing technology, globalization, intricate markets, cultural change, and the myriad of challenges and opportunities to come.

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  • Complexity research as an academic field is an umbrella term for a number of different perspectives and approaches.

    “Complexity research as an academic field is an umbrella term for a number of different perspectives and approaches e.g. in the guise of complexity sciences concerned with problems in Physics and other natural sciences (Mathews et al., 1999;Mitleton-Kelly & Land, 2004) (see Figure 1 for examples), including complexity theory (see overview (Turner & Baker, 2019)).”

    From Interactive digital narrative (IDN)—new ways to represent complexity and facilitate digitally empowered citizens (2022) · cites this paper as Turner & Baker, 2019

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Turner, J. R., & Baker, R. M.
Affiliations
University of North Texas (US)
Corresponding author
Baker, Rose M.
ORCID
Venue
Systems
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2019-01-19
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
4
ISSN
2079-8954 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/systems7010004
OpenAlex
W2909583817
Cited by
372
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 42 · 2025: 102 · 2024: 62 · 2023: 73 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 1
FWCI
15.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Systems (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • University of North Texas Digital Library (University of North Texas) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computational Theory and Mathematics › Chaos, Complexity, and Education
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Complex Systems and Decision Making
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Complex Systems and Dynamics
Keywords
complexity theory, general systems theory, open social systems, wicked problems, reductionism, formal theory, globalization, cultural change

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