skip to main content skip to footer

Organization and Transformation

Author(s):
Van den Daele, Leland D.
Publication Year:
1973
Report Number:
RM-73-31
Source:
ETS Research Memorandum
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
21
Subject/Key Words:
Developmental Analysis, Epistemology, Philosophy, Systems Analysis

Abstract

The nature of organization and transformation in any field of interest is discussed and different types of change are described and graphed. Algorithms of decomposition and construction are presented. Terms of transformation--derivable change (change with common elements), partially derivable change (change with some common and some discrete elements), parallel, subordinate and emergent transformation--correspondence, differentiation and integration, and terms of substitution (an addition with a deletion), expansion and contraction, augmentation and reduction, (referring to the number of levels and number of components within a level)--are defined. Examples are cited from biological, behavioral physical and social sciences. Several psychological theories are categorized as derivable, non-derivable, or partially derivable, and it is noted that strategies for achieving change will depend on how it is categorized.

Read More