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DEFINING A DISCIPLINE

Defining a Discipline

Dustin Allsbrook

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

SYSE 641 Systems Psychology

Dr. Clint R. Balog

March 14, 2021

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DEFINING A DISCIPLINE
Defining a Discipline

As we work through the understanding of systems psychology, we begin to observe the

significance of analyzing the social interactions between humans and the integration of humans

and machines. A perception of complexity beyond basic interfacing emerges, and systems

engineers must prepare to harness desirable emergent properties and combat undesirable negative

traits. We have learned through this course that emergent properties are a staple of complex

adaptive systems where the capabilities of a system grow beyond the sum of the total abilities

(Nikolaev & Fortin, 2020). These dynamic social interactions give way to constantly varying

statuses, with each previous state providing feedback to further develop the current state of the

system. These traits are tell-tale signs of a dynamical system, where feedback loops among

interdependent components express the apparent need to study systems as a whole instead of as

individual components (Kaplan & Garner, 2017).

Systems psychology is the analysis of the human aspect of these complex systems. From

ergonomics to social interactions, humans provide increasing variability levels that are difficult

to examine without stepping back and viewing the system in its entirety. While human factors, or

ergonomics, is a broad view of a system’s human aspect (Hollnagel, 2014) from systems

psychology to human error suppression, systems psychology provides more of a

macroergonomics perspective. A work system involves at least two humans working together

with an associated technology within a contained environment, requiring an organizational focus

to ensure all the components are working together safely and efficiently (Kleiner, 2006). Systems

psychology requires an in-depth look at how the humans within a system work together, creating

complex relationships and interactions with other properties, such as technology, adding

additional variables.

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DEFINING A DISCIPLINE
Sociotechnical systems involve the same complex interactions but with a system that also

relies on interactions between various technologies to meet the system’s goals. Complex

sociotechnical systems must employ a review of human interaction if they are to be successful.

Some systems designers involve users in developing systems to ensure they can meet the

ergonomic requirements in sociotechnical systems (Carayon, 2006). Systems psychology

provides additional insight to this review by examining human integration and understanding

how relations between users in the systems are just as significant as the interaction between those

users and the technological aspects. The interdependence of technology and human components

means that variations of the psychology within the system can influence the reliance on

technology. Humans who operate and manage complex machinery may require a more focused

approach to shift management to avoid fatigue-related incidences. A human factors engineering

approach may review the levels of automation, requiring a reduction of automation to prevent

rising levels of complacency while teams provide monitoring duties.

As humans begin to take a backseat to increasing automation levels and higher levels of

technological complexity, their few interactions within a system will receive heightened scrutiny.

Human error is as much a part of a system as the other components, as humans will continue to

remain fallible even as system technology reliability strengthens (Reason, 2000). A systems

psychology examination of developing systems will grow in importance as the reliability of non-

human aspects increases and human factors occupy the most significant variable. Though

technology reliability is enhancing, a future of fully automated systems across all branches of

technology is still quite far off. A human aspect will remain present until we can engineer the

necessity of our presence out of the system. Humans will continue to provide monitoring

services, remote response abilities, and emergency management as artificial technology has not

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DEFINING A DISCIPLINE
grown to a point where it can replace all the functions humans offer. Systems psychology

provides the answers to difficult questions as we review the complex social relationships in

adaptive organizations. Understanding these relationships remains relevant even as we further

remove ourselves from central roles in system operation. We, as humans, remain a critical factor

in system development and management, and systems psychology will continue to provide the

insight we need to manage our efforts best.

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DEFINING A DISCIPLINE
References

Carayon, P. (2006). Human factors of complex sociotechnical systems. Applied

Ergonomics, 37(4), 525-535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2006.04.011.

Hollnagel, E. (2014). Human factors/ergonomics as a systems discipline? “The human use of

human beings” revisited. Applied Ergonomics, 45(1), 40-

44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2013.03.024.

Kaplan, A., & Garner, J. (2017). A complex dynamic systems perspective on identity and its

development: The dynamic systems model of role identity. Developmental

Psychology, 53(11), 2036-2051. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000339.

Kleiner, B. (2006). Macroergonomics: Analysis and design of work systems. Applied

Ergonomics, 37(1), 81-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2005.07.006.

Nikolaev, M., & Fortin, C. (2020). Systems thinking ontology of emergent properties for

complex engineering systems. Journal of Physics. Conference

Series, 1687(1)https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1687/1/012005.

Reason, J. (2000). Human error: Models and management. Bmj, 320(7237), 768-

770. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.320.7237.768.

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