Presentation of Heylighen, Francis, and Joslyn, Cliff, (2001). Cybernetics and Second-order Cybernetics. In R.A. Meyers (ed.), Encyclopedia of Physical Science & Technology, 3rd ed. New York: Academic Press. Introduction to Informatics PhD in Informatics Human-Computer Interaction Design Track Indiana University Bloomington Fall 2012

1. Cybernetics and
Second-Order Cybernetics
info 501
Introduction to Informatics
Prof. Johan J. Bollen
Omar Sosa Tzec
PhD in Informatics
Fall 2012

2. cybernetics •The science of effective government
•Communication and Control
•Relations
modelling •Autonomy
•Self-organization
•Cognition
•The role of the observer
systems
•Artificial and Natural
second-order
cybernetics

3. second-order cybernetics is about
•Relational Concepts
•Circular Processes
•Goal-Directedness and Control
•Cognition

4. relational concepts
variety constraint
entropy information
dynamics

5. circular processes
self-application self-organization
•Attractors
closure feedback cycles
•Negative
•Positive

6. goal-directedness and control
goal- mechanisms law of
directedness of control requisite
•Autopoietic & Allopoietic •Buffering variety
Systems •V(E) >= V(D) - V(R) - K
•Feedforward
•Essential Variables •Feedback
components control
of control hierarchies
systems

7. Components of Control Systems
system
goal
representation decision
information processing
perception action
observed dynamics affected
variables variables
disturbances
environment

8. cognition
requisite modelling
knowledge relation
•Increasing constraint •Endo-models
•Selectivity on choosing •Observation, the world,
the appropriate action and inaccurate predictions
•Heuristic Knowledge
learning and constructivist
model building epistemology
•Constructivism •Coherence
•Learning •Invariance
•Homeostasis •Social construction of
reality

9. insights
•Modelling systems is a complicated activity when
treated with rigor. But conceptually, it’s fascinating.
•Second-order Cybernetics engages transdisciplinary
approaches.
•Informatics is derived in part from Cybernetics.
inquiry & reflection
•What is the cybernetic approach for HCI Design?
•Does it make sense?

10. Thank you!
reference
Heylighen, Francis, and Joslyn, Cliff. (2001).
Cybernetics and Second-order Cybernetics. In R.A. Meyers
(ed.), Encyclopedia of Physical Science & Technology, 3rd
ed. New York: Academic Press.