Embracing chaos and complexity: a quantum change for public health.

Full Abstract

Public health research and practice have been guided by a cognitive, rational paradigm where inputs produce linear, predictable changes in outputs. However, the conceptual and statistical assumptions underlying this paradigm may be flawed. In particular, this perspective does not adequately account for nonlinear and quantum influences on human behavior. We propose that health behavior change is better understood through the lens of chaos theory and complex adaptive systems. Key relevant principles include that behavior change (1) is often a quantum event; (2) can resemble a chaotic process that is sensitive to initial conditions, highly variable, and difficult to predict; and (3) occurs within a complex adaptive system with multiple components, where results are often greater than the sum of their parts.

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Author information

Author/s: Resnicow, Kenneth (K); Page, Scott E (SE);

Affiliation: University of Michigan, School of Public Health Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, 109 Observatory Street, Room 3867 SPH I, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. kresnic(-atsign-)umich.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: American journal of public health (Am J Public Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Aug; vol 98 (issue 8) : pp 1382-9

Dates: Created 2008/07/09; Completed 2008/08/12;

PMID: 18556599, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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