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The systems movement is made up of many systems societies aswell as of disciplinary researchers and researches, explicitly orimplicitly focusing on the subject of systemics, officially introducedin the scientific community fifty years ago. Many researches indifferent fields have been and continue to be sources of new ideas andchallenges for the systems community. To this regard, a very importanttopic is the one of EMERGENCE. Between the goals for the actual andfuture systems scientists there is certainly the definition of ageneral theory of emergence and the building of a general model ofit.The goal of this book, is to recall to the systems community animportant challenge to be dealt with in the immediate future: thestudy and characterization of general features of what is commonlyqualified as `emergence', chiefly in complex systems such asbiological and cognitive ones. Such a topic was a fundamental one atthe very beginning of the systemic movement, and to it the foundingfathers, such as Von Bertalanffy, Ashby and Von Foerster, devoted mostefforts. In more recent times, however, the interests shifted towardsan empirical study of systemic properties characterizing humanorganizations, and the subject of emergence was partly abandoned.Notwithstanding, the understanding of what is emergence, and of thecircumstances which allow for its occurrence within a complex system,is of crucial importance for systemics. Namely all systemic properties-- the ones which allow a system to behave as a whole and not asan aggregate of constituents -- are just emergent properties. ... Read more

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A thorough, authoritative, and concise overview of the history, systems, and theories of psychology, Theories and Systems of Psychology is organized around themes and ideas, not isolated facts, introducing students to twentieth-century theories of psychology and the historical movements that gave rise to them.

Customer Reviews (2)

Theories and Systems of Psychology by Robert William Lundin
The order was shipped promptly, arrived earlier than expected, and was in excellent conditioned, as promised.I would highly recommend this book seller to everyone.

A good introductory text
This book reviews the various schools of psychology using a simple style that is easy to read and understand. It provides enough depth on each system to satisfy the practitioner and provides solid explanations for thebeginner to understand with ease. An excellent introductory psychologytext. ... Read more

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Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: Systems, Strategies, and Skills categorizes theories by their focus (background; emotions and sensations; thoughts; or actions).  This structure helps students better understand similarities and differences among theories and provides an overarching framework that other texts lack. 

The book explores both established and emerging treatment systems. Using skill development sections, diverse case studies and innovative exercises, the text moves beyond traditional texts to directly connect counseling theories to clinical practice. It reflects current knowledge about effective treatment, theories and interventions, and continually promotes readers’ skill development and confidence. By the end of the text, readers will have an introduction to the theoretical foundations of the field and the basic clinical skills needed to be an effective helping professional.

Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent
I got this book on time and it was in perfect condition! I am very happy with my purchase!

different edition
Really helped with my online class, but this edition was different. The order of the chapters were different.

Great if you are taking class with Dr. Santangelo
This is the book you need at William Paterson university, if you are in the counseling program. Class 606-60. Great class, and the book is a very helpful tool to understand and get more detail and theories and practices. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get into the counseling profession. I will likely get made fun of for writing this review.

Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
My class was canceled, sent an email to the person selling the book but never heard from them. I wanted to to return the book. Disappointed!! ... Read more

Product Description
This book presents both the fundamentals and the major research topics in statistical physics of systems out of equilibrium. It summarizes different approaches to describe such systems on the thermodynamic and stochastic levels, and discusses a variety of areas including reactions, anomalous kinetics, and the behavior of self-propelling particles. ... Read more

Product Description
"As management theory is critical to understanding decision-making and formal leadership in organizations, comprehension of their creation, structure, and application greatly benefits and furthers the development of management systems.

Cybernetics and Systems Theory in Management: Tools, Views, and Advancements provides new models and insights into how to develop, test, and apply more effective decision-making and ethical practices in an organizational setting. This critical mass of sought after knowledge with expert international contributions presents a cornerstone publication inspiring new directions of research and theory building. ... Read more

Product Description
In this book the authors reduce a wide variety of problems arising in system and control theory to a handful of convex and quasiconvex optimization problems that involve linear matrix inequalities. These optimization problems can be solved using recently developed numerical algorithms that not only are polynomial-time but also work very well in practice; the reduction therefore can be considered a solution to the original problems. This book opens up an important new research area in which convex optimization is combined with system and control theory, resulting in the solution of a large number of previously unsolved problems.

Special Features
- The book identifies a handful of standard optimization problems that are general (a wide variety of problems from system and control theory can be reduced to them) as well as specific (specialized numerical algorithms can be devised for them).

- The book catalogs a diverse list of problems in system and control theory that can be reduced to the standard optimization problems. Problems considered are analysis and state-feedback design for uncertain systems, matrix analysis problems, and many others.

- Most of the the book is accessible to anyone with a basic mathematics background, e.g., linear algebra and differential equations.

Partial Contents
Preface; Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Some Standard Problems Involving LMIs; Chapter 3: Some Matrix Problems; Chapter 4: Linear Differential Inclusions; Chapter 5: Analysis of LDIs: State Properties; Chapter 6: Analysis of LDIs: Input/Output Properties; Chapter 7: State-Feedback Synthesis for LDIs; Chapter 8: Lur'e and Multiplier Methods; Chapter 9: Systems with Multiplicative Noise; Chapter 10: Miscellaneous Problems; Notation; List of Acronyms; Bibliography; Index.

Audience
This book is primarily intended for researchers in system and control theory; both the beginner and the advanced researcher will find the book useful. Researchers in convex optimization will find this book a source of optimization problems for which algorithms need to be devised. A background in linear algebra, elementary analysis, and exposure to differential equations and system and control theory is recommended. ... Read more

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Nonautonomous dynamical systems provide a mathematical framework for temporally changing phenomena, where the law of evolution varies in time due to seasonal, modulation, controlling or even random effects. Our goal is to provide an approach to the corresponding geometric theory of nonautonomous discrete dynamical systems in infinite-dimensional spaces by virtue of 2-parameter semigroups (processes). These dynamical systems are generated by implicit difference equations, which explicitly depend on time. Compactness and dissipativity conditions are provided for such problems in order to have attractors using the natural concept of pullback convergence. Concerning a necessary linear theory, our hyperbolicity concept is based on exponential dichotomies and splittings. This concept is in turn used to construct nonautonomous invariant manifolds, so-called fiber bundles, and deduce linearization theorems. The results are illustrated using temporal and full discretizations of evolutionary differential equations. ... Read more

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This book presents the mathematical foundations of systems theory in a self-contained, comprehensive, detailed and mathematically rigorous way.

This first volume is devoted to the analysis of dynamical systems with emphasis on problems of uncertainty, whereas the second volume will be devoted to control. It combines features of a detailed introductory textbook with that of a reference source. The book contains many examples and figures illustrating the text which help to bring out the intuitive ideas behind the mathematical constructions. It is accessible to mathematics students after two years of mathematics and graduate engineering students specializing in mathematical systems theory. The reader is gradually brought to the frontiers of research in stability and robustness analysis. As such the book will be useful for established researchers in systems theory as well as mathematicians and engineers interested in the mathematical foundations of systems and control.

From the reviews:

"This textbook on finite-dimensional time-invariant linear systems theory ... links up with the extensive research contributions of the authors, geared towards developing a spectral theory for uncertain systems. ... is bound to become a standard textbook and reference in its area." M. Kawski, Mathematical Reviews, 2005

"... the content ranges from rigorous proofs of basic results in linear systems theory to new results on the research frontier. In that sense, the book also serves as a valuable research reference." W.J. Satzer, MathDL, May, 2005

"I heartily recommend this book as a remarkably complete reference for researchers doing theoretical work involving linear systems. The book is a unique compilation of the mathematics underlying the field, and I look forward to seeing the authors' treatment of synthesis problems in the second volume." Brian Ingalls, IEEE Control Systems Magazine, April 2006

"MST-1 can be properly deemed an essential addition to the personal library of any researcher in systems theory. ...the authors indicate that MST-I was developed over a twenty-year period and the enormous effort that they have invested in writing the book is readily apoparent. MST-I is a superb exposition of advanced aspects of linear systems theory and is highly recommended for graduate students and researchers who have some prior background in control-systems and who have specific interests in problems of stability, robustness, and uncertainty. If the authors are able to maintain their high standards of exposition through the promised second volume, then MST-I and -II are destined to be placed among the pre-eminent authoritative references for the area of controlled dynamical systems." K.A. Grasse, IEEE Trans. Automatic Control 51, April 2006

"... This book is one of the best books on the subject." A.O. Ignatyev, Zentralblatt MATH 1074 :l

Product Description
Systems theorists see common principles in the structure and operation of systems of all kinds and sizes. They promote an interdisciplinary science adapted for a universal application with a common language and area of concepts. This approach is seen as a means of not only overcoming the fragmentation of knowledge and the isolation of the specialist, but also finding new solutions to problems created by the earlier "solution of problems". This book introduces the systemic alternative. It is divided into two parts. The first is devoted to the historical background of the systems movement and presents thoughts and theories of the area. Basic concepts of general systems theory with well-known laws and principles are discussed, as well as related topics such as cybernetics and information theory. The second part deals with some of the common applications of systems theory within systems science, such as artificial intelligence, management-information systems and informatics. An attempt is made to predict the future of systems theory in a world apparently becoming fragmented and integrated at the same time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent intro to the Systems Theory
I read this book while working on my dissertation.I did a thorough search on all books related to the systems theory in the VCU library and this was the best one.I loved reading it!!!!The language is crystal clear and precise.The organization is thoughtful and fluid. I just LOVED LOVED this book.Wish more people read it!! I couldn't believe how few good books there were re: this subject.
... Read more

Product Description
The overall trend of modern science and technology is tosynthesize all areas of knowledge into a few major blocks. Anothercharacteristic is that the esthetic standard of scientific workers hasbeen changing constantly. They ask, How can they equip themselves withthe newest knowledge? How can they handle new knowledge, the amount ofwhich has been increasing in ageometric series? According to Quastler, systems methodology is essentially theestablishment of a structural foundation for four kinds of theories oforganization: cybernetics, game theory, decision theory, andinformation theory. General systems methodology is a theoretical methodology whose purposeis to realize the ideal model of a systems theory described by vonBertalanffy, Quastler, and Zadeh -- that is, to establish ageneral theory applicable to explain phenomena in various specificsystems. The present volume is a comprehensive and mathematical approach togeneral systems theory. Topics explored are naive set theory;axiomatic set theory; centralizability and tests of applications;systems of single relations; calculus of generalized numbers; unsolvedproblems in general systems theory. ... Read more

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This book offers the foundations of system analysis as an applied scientific methodology assigned for the investigation of complex and highly interdisciplinary problems. It presents the basic definitions and the methodological and theoretical basis of formalization and solution processes in various subject domains. It describes in detail the methods of formalizing the system tasks and reducing them to a solvable form under real-world conditions.

Product Description
This text constitutes the proceedings from the IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics (SMC), which was held in 1999. Topics covered include systems science, soft computing and robotics. ... Read more

Product Description
This book provides a comprehensive practical treatment of the modelling of electrical power systems, and the theory and practice of fault analysis of power systems covering detailed and advanced theories as well as modern industry practices.

The continuity and quality of electricity delivered safely and economically by today's and future's electrical power networks are important for both developed and developing economies. The correct modelling of power system equipment and correct fault analysis of electrical networks are pre-requisite to ensuring safety and they play a critical role in the identification of economic network investments. Environmental and economic factors require engineers to maximise the use of existing assets which in turn require accurate modelling and analysis techniques. The technology described in this book will always be required for the safe and economic design and operation of electrical power systems.

The book describes relevant advances in industry such as in the areas of international standards developments, emerging new generation technologies such as wind turbine generators, fault current limiters, multi-phase fault analysis, measurement of equipment parameters, probabilistic short-circuit analysis and electrical interference.

*A fully up-to-date guide to the analysis and practical troubleshooting of short-circuit faults in electricity utilities and industrial power systems
*Covers generators, transformers, substations, overhead power lines and industrial systems with a focus on best-practice techniques, safety issues, power system planning and economics.
*North American and British / European standards covered ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Power Systems Modelling and Fault Analysis (Nasser Tleis)
Dr. Tleis adopts a refreshing approach in this much-needed reference book. The subject matter is very clearly and logically presented, and the treatment is laudably comprehensive, with no stone left unturned in his analysis. A large number of helpful explanatory diagrams are also included within the text and many practical solved examples, and a full list of references and suggestions for further reading provided at the end of each chapter. In short, this extremely thoroughly-written book will doubtless become a standard text of enduring use to both academics and industry practitioners. At this price (particularly for a hardback edition) the book represents very good value for money, and as such will be readily accessible to students, academics and practising engineers alike. ... Read more

Product Description
There are several books on the applications of graph theory, but none of them are related to power systems applications. This book attempts to cover all applications of graph theory in the area of power systems. It consists of two parts. The first part, containing four Chapters, briefly introduces the basic concepts of graph theory, major properties, theorems, and algorithms in graph theory and network flow programming. This definitive treatment makes graph theory easy to understand. The second part, containing 10 Chapters, is the practical application of graph theory and network flow programming to all kinds of power systems problems, which is the key part of the book. These applications include network flow calculation of power flow, classical economic power dispatch, security constrained economic dispatch, multi-areas system economic dispatch, reactive power optimisation and pricing in multi-area environment, hydro-thermal power system operation, power system state estimation, secure economic automatic generation control, automatic contingency selection, distribution network optimisation, and optimal load shedding.The treatment of each application includes the mathematical representation of power system problem, its relationship with graph theory and network flow programming, as well as the implementations accompanied by examples of power system application problem, solution, and results analysis. Each chapter contains the related references that collectively form an extensive guide to the primary research literature. ... Read more

Product Description
System Theory: Modeling, Analysis and Control containsthirty-three scientific papers covering a wide range of topics insystems and control. These papers have been contributed to a symposiumorganized to celebrate Sanjoy K. Mitter's 65th birthday. The followingresearch topics are addressed: distributed parameter systems,stochastic control, filtering and estimation, optimization and optimalcontrol, image processing and vision, hierarchical systems and hybridcontrol, nonlinear systems, and linear systems. Also included arethree survey papers on optimization, nonlinear filtering, andnonlinear systems. Recent advances are reported on the behavioral approach to systems,the relationship between differential games and robust control,estimation of diffusion processes, Markov processes, optimal control,hybrid control, stochastic control, spectral estimation, nonconvexquadratic programming, robust control, control algorithms andquantized linear systems. Innovative explorations are carried out onquantum systems from a control theory perspective, option valuationand hedging, three-dimensional medical visualization, computationalstructure biology image processing, and hierarchical approaches tocomplex systems, flow control, scheduling and force feedback in fluidmechanics. The contents reflect on past research accomplishments,current research activity, and future research directions in systemsand control theory. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

Better and at a Price You Can Afford
This Dover edition includes some improved graphics and a new Preface that introduces a business cycle model, a hypothesis that quantum behavior is caused by nonlinear resonces of waves, and much more. Of special note is the appearance, at long last, of a CRC "Handbook of Dynamic Systems Modeling" (see product link). If and when Amazon Shorts ever gets back into business, I shall submit some Excel spreadsheets with MS Word documentation that illustrate topics in this book and perhaps examples from others.Some will use the VBA macro language and others just worksheet formulas. With these the reader will be able to explore the examples over a range of parameters and state variables and perhaps even adapt the spreadsheets to modeling tasks of limited complexity. Comments and inquiries may be directed to the email address on p. ix. Handbook of Dynamic System Modeling (Cpaman & Hall/Crc Computer and Information Science)

Mathematical Depth and Descriptive Simplicity


I find myself agreeing with all the comments made so far.

It's not too common to find a book that is able to describe in simple terms, such a large anddiverse range of mathematical tools.

The author uses a framework - to tie together tools used indescribing and handling deterministic, semi deterministic, and stochastic systems.For an example of Deterministic, try ODE's (ordinary differential equations), for semi deterministic - try Periodic but noisy wave-forms (some stock prices), and finally Stochastic - Random looking waveforms that have underlying patterns that can be described usingeither using Chaotic indicators (Hurst, Liapunov ) or probability type descriptors.

This book is the kind of thing you needed to help steer you through those dry mathematical books that are divorced from reality - A sort of classification system for deciphering what kind of gunpowder was used in those display's of intellectual fireworks from the tops of ivory towers.Kinda "So thats what all that maths means, but in plain english".

A depth of understanding, for practical application, without intellectual egotism and opaqueness.(But then maybe I'm just a bit thick ... :)

I'd tend to call this book as an equivalent to the Rosetta Stone for the maths of dynamical systems.

You may not use it directly - but you will benefit and grow in understanding from its' plain and simplesign posts along your journey.

It has its place on my book shelf.

A masterpiece
This is the kind of book that should be available in every area of science and mathematics.A book that is not a research book, but yet is not a broad popularization.This book can benefit both persons who are just beginning a study of dynamic modeling and I dare say things will be learned by even those that are researchers in the area.Good work Foster Morrison whoever you are.

A broad overview
Very general overview for the subject of dynamic systems modeling, providing ample historical perspectives. Not suitable for folks looking for deep technical matters.

Best modeling book on the market !
This book is certainly the best book you'll find around for treating in depth the subject of modeling dynamic systems. The style is clear and very intuitive. It provides a well-structured identification of dynamic systems and explains the "what you can do and what you cannot" for modeling all types of dynamic systems. It's true that it can be hard to find but waiting some couple of weeks certainly is no reason for not trying to get this extraordinary overview of dynamic systems !

The only drawback you could find is that it is too short... reading it makes you want more...so using it as an introduction to dynamic systems can only motivate you at going further in the field of dynamic systems modeling ! ... Read more

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"Whether by design, accident or merely synchronicity, Checkland appears to have developed a habit of writing seminal publications near the start of each decade which establish the basis and framework for systems methodology research for that decade." Hamish Rennie, Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1992

Thirty years ago Peter Checkland set out to test whether the Systems Engineering (SE) approach, highly successful in technical problems, could be used by managers coping with the unfolding complexities of organizational life. The straightforward transfer of SE to the broader situations of management was not possible, but by insisting on a combination of systems thinking strongly linked to real-world practice Checkland and his collaborators developed an alternative approach - Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) - which enables managers of all kinds and at any level to deal with the subtleties and confusions of the situations they face. This work established the now accepted distinction between ‘hard systems thinking, in which parts of the world are taken to be ‘systems which can be ‘engineered, and ‘soft systems thinking in which the focus is on making sure the process of inquiry into real-world complexity is itself a system for learning. Systems Thinking, Systems Practice (1981) and Soft Systems Methodology in Action (1990) together with an earlier paper Towards a Systems-based Methodology for Real-World Problem Solving (1972) have long been recognized as classics in the field. Now Peter Checkland has looked back over the three decades of SSM development, brought the account of it up to date, and reflected on the whole evolutionary process which has produced a mature SSM. SSM: A 30-Year Retrospective, here included with Systems Thinking, Systems Practice closes a chapter on what is undoubtedly the most significant single research programme on the use of systems ideas in problem solving. Now retired from full-time university work, Peter Checkland continues his research as a Leverhulme Emeritus Fellow. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Systems look at Systems Thinking, Systems Practice.
This book was recommended by a friend with Systems Engineering expertise, and has become one of my favorite books on the subject.
A good balance of humor and serious dialog is maintained.

Complete, crisp, and clean descriptions of the many approaches to Systems Theory are discussed and well delineated.

An excellent book for all ranges of background and purposes, I highly recommend it as a beginning point or a refresher course.

A classic that is very relevant today
I originallay read (and wrote a paper about) Checkland's ideas in 1990 whilst I was studying for my MBA. Then his ideas seemed revolutionary, insightful and impractical. Re-visiting his book nearly 20 years on little has changed in my view of its content, but the world has moved on and what seemed impractical now appears possible.

I would urge anyone involved in creating modern systems based on distributed and dynamic principles to study Checkland.

Checkland's masterpiece
When I first read this book I thought it to be revolutionary, ahead of it's time (as others have) and insightful.Despite the fact that Checkland has in large moved away from the ideas and the model of this book - to me it represents the original vision of SSM (soft systems methodology) more so than his later books.Checkland presents a history of systems thinking in the book then goes onto to discuss the need for a new approach - that of SSM.With extreme elegance of style Checkland delivers a long and stinging critique to Hard Systems thinking and presents a coherent and thoughtful argument for his own version SSM.Further he creates a platform for real world problem solving that is useful and interesting.A lot of his ideas have appeared in American texts (like the fifth discipline for example) and rarely are they credited or made use of in that regard. This book is a good place to start exploring the real world of problems with but I would highly recommended that before you go to his two other books you start here.This in my opinion has not been bettered in any systems context to date and I am not sure it ever will or could be. Having said that you really do need to read it and find out for yourself.Be warned it's not for those who want to be challenged in their thinking - especially those of you who don't like the qualitative stuff.

Really worthwhile
This book is a gem. The basic concepts of systems, hierarchies and emergent properties are developed from the methodologies of physical and social sciences in chapter 3, and makes for fascinating reading. I'm currently writing a master's thesis on it! =)

If you're studying management of information systems or something similar, you are probably sick and tired of overly theoretical approaches to the subject which seem to be just excuses for academics to publish rubbish (eg. structuration, actor network theory, etc).This book may save you from a nervous breakdown.

Where it all began...
Well, since I've been on a bit of a 'systems' binge lately, I might as well review this old gem...

Checkland's book was the first to introduce the differentiation between 'soft' and 'hard' systems analysis.Soft analysis is much more akin to a general, somewhat philosophical approach to the methodology whereas hard analysis is the development of usable engineering models.

First off, this book is actually two books - the first is a fairly long paper that neatly sums up the systems approach over the 30 years it has been explored.The consensus?Things looked really promising at the beginning but unfortunately the approach simply got hung up on the very thing it was trying to escape:science's current preoccupation with reductionism.That is, the hard systems approach attracted the most attention and it quickly succumbed to the very trap it sought to escape starting with its use of rigidly-defined symbols right up to the detailed diddling with mathematical models that, similar to earlier approaches, did not model reality at all due to assumptions and oversimplification.

Checkland is much more interested in the soft approach and he consistently laments the fact that systems methodology is not being taught even though it holds so much promise to solving many of our pressing problems.The overview presses this point home and should be required reading for anyone in management or engineering.

The second section, the original book with a few revisions, is still very relevant.Checkland's focus, soft systems, never was given a chance given our preoccupation with reductionism.Given the recent failures of reductionism, particularly the genome-mapping fiasco, cast systems theory in new light.

Checkland starts out with an excellent overview of the history of science from a (mostly) philosophical perspective.This very readable overview leads directly into his discussion of the history and early development of systems theory.He then focuses on systems methodology (soft systems theory) with some general applications.

The approach is very readable and should be easily understood by anyone - in fact, Checkland stresses the importance of having a wide base of knowledge to help solve real-world problems and points out that much work has been done by people who 'migrated' from other fields.Smuts, one of the pioneers, was actually a politician and only wrote a systems book after losing an election...

It is unfortunate that there are no references to Robert Rosen here since his work, more of a 'hard' approach to systems theory, fully supports Checkland's ideas.In fact, there is a lot of material that should be included as 'backup' for why the systems approach is important as a new direction away from reductionism.Perlovsky's work in cybernetics, Jopling's recent work on self-knowledge, Prigogine's work in thermodynamics and even Kauffman's attempts in biology now point to hypotheses that are only compatible with a systems methodology.

This book, as mentioned above, should be required reading these days.Certainly for anyone contemplating management or engineering it is a very important reference.In fact, the book could basically be used in high-school with a bit of help from Weinberg's systems books.For those looking for more application-specific information I recommend von Bertalanffy's original, Rosen's work, and perhaps a side helping of Weinberg and Gharajedaghi for more ideas. ... Read more