What is Chaos Theory and what does it reveal to us?

Imagine that we place an egg at the top of a pyramid.. Now let's think that we drop a cork at the source of a river.

We will be able to know in which direction the egg will fall or at which point in the river the cork will end up once we have observed the result. However, could we predict it? Although with the final result numerous models can be elaborated regarding how the experiment has finished one way or another, there are a lot of variables that may or may not influence the outcome final.

There is a theory that indicates that nature and the universe in general do not follow a predictable pattern, called the chaos theory.

General approach to chaos theory

Chaos theory is, more than a theory, a paradigm that led to a scientific revolution at the time., by reflecting that many systems until now considered deterministic and predictable have severe limits on said predictability. That is, they were not as useful as believed when it comes to predicting future events. This is important, since one of the foundations of science consists in the ability to eliminate uncertainty about what will happen.

Started by Henri Poincaré as a precursor and popularized thanks to the work of the mathematician and meteorologist edward lorenz, chaos theory has been used in fields such as mathematics and meteorology to explain the inaccuracy and the difficulty in obtaining predictable results from reality.

The butterfly Effect

This theory is widely known for what has come to be called the butterfly effect, according to which “The faint beat of a butterfly's wings can be the cause of a hurricane thousands of miles away. distance". In this way, it is indicated that the existence of a specific variable can cause or alter others, progressively influencing itself until obtaining a result outside of those expected.

In summary, we can consider that the theory of chaos establishes that small changes in the initial conditions create big differences with respect to the final result, with which a large majority of events and systems are not totally predictable.

It is important to note that despite appearances, the chaos to which this theory refers does not imply a lack of order, but rather that facts and reality do not conform to a linear model. However, the chaotic cannot go beyond certain limits. The egg that we mentioned in the introduction can only not fall or fall in any direction. In other words, the possibilities are multiple but the results are limited, and there are predispositions for phenomena to happen in a certain way, predispositions known as attractors.

Chaos theory in psychology

The chaos theory was initially devised in order to explain the existence of divergences in the results of the application of mathematical, meteorological or astrological models. However, that theory It is applicable to a large number of disciplines, including those related to health sciences and social sciences.. One of the scientific disciplines in which this theory has some applicability is psychology.

The chaos theory, as a paradigm that concludes that small changes in the initial conditions can generate a great diversity in the results, can serve to explain the enormous diversity that we can find in terms of attitudes, points of view, thoughts, beliefs or emotions. Although as a general rule most people seek to survive and fulfill themselves in different ways, there is a very wide variety of circumstances that transform our behavior and thinking and shape our way of living life. For example, living a relatively happy and peaceful life does not ensure that a person will not develop a mental disorder, just as suffering a severe trauma may not lead to further disorders.

differences between people

It can be useful in trying to explain why some people may develop mental strengths or problems that others may not. It can also explain why certain treatments are not effective in certain people even though they are effective in most people. Or why two people with the same genes and the same vital experiences do not react in the same way to a specific stimulus or event.

Behind it may be personality differences, cognitive ability, focus of attention on specific aspects, emotional and motivational situation at that very moment or multiple other factors.

In addition, some psychological processes such as anxiety could be linked to chaos theory. For many people with anxiety and related disorders, not knowing what could happen when acting in the environment gives rise to a deep feeling of discomfort, and with it a possible active avoidance of what is feared.

In other words, the uncertainty generated by the difficulty in establishing reliable predictions, due to the multiple possibilities of a chaotic reality arouses the feeling of concern. The same occurs with disorders such as obsessive compulsive, in which the uncertainty that something feared may happen due to the intrusive thoughts it induces anxiety and can lead to the use of compulsions as a temporary protective measure.

Small details that change our destiny

Within psychology and this theory, genetics and culture could be considered as attractors, by producing a certain tendency to behave in a certain way. But this does not imply that we all behave the same or have the same ways of thinking. Behavioral patterns and habits are also attractors, which may explain why in some cases of mental disorders there are recurrences.

However, there are also complete remissions of symptoms, due to the introduction of new elements and alternative reconstructions of dysfunctional internal processes. The simple fact of passing someone on the street or not doing so can cause unexpected effects that make us behave differently.

Human groups and the effect of chaotic theory

The same thing happens in organizations, systems in which multiple elements are interrelated in different ways and with different objectives. In the case of the company, it is widely known that today it is essential that it be able to adapt to changes so that it can remain. However, said adaptability must be constant, since it is not possible to foresee all the situations that may occur. They must be able to deal with chaos.

And it is that there can be a large number of variables that can affect its operation and maintenance. The production level of an employee can be affected by his personal circumstances. The clients and/or suppliers of said company may be delayed in their payments and shipments. Another company may try to acquire the company or attract its workers. There may be a fire that destroys part or all of the work done. The popularity of the company can be increased or decreased by factors such as novelty or the emergence of better alternatives.

But in any case, as we have previously indicated, the fact that reality is multiple and chaotic does not imply that it is disordered. Chaos theory teaches that science in general must be adaptable and not deterministic, always keeping in mind that an exact and absolute forecast of all events is not viable.

Bibliographic references:

• Lorenz, E.N. (nineteen ninety six). The Essence of Chaos. University of Washington Press.