# Causal Loop Diagrams A way of modeling a system - very much a systems-thinking mental model 1. Draw which parts of a system affect which other parts 2. Annotate whether the link increases (+) or decreases (-) the part 3. You can simplify links in series with the following rules 1. Two of the same signs in series => (+) 1. To write out the logic here: if A increases B which increase C, A increases C. If A decreases B which decreases C. A increases C. 2. Two of the opposite signs in series => (-) 1. If A increases B which decreases C, A decreases C. 2. If A decreases B which increases C, A decreases C 4. Look for loops * opposite signs are “balancing” which are the same concept as [[Negative feedback loops]] in [[Control Theory]] and [[Circuit Diagrams]] * The same sign are “reenforcing” which are the same concept as [[Positive feedback loops]] in [[Control Theory]] and [[Circuit Diagrams]] Parts connected in series roughly act like [[And operators]] in [[Formal Logic]] which also acts like parts in series in [[Circuit Diagrams]]. ## Related [[Control Theory]] [[Circuit Diagrams]] [[Formal Logic]] ## References [[Causal Loop Diagrams]] <!-- #mental-model --> [Web URL for this note](http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/Causal+Loop+Diagrams) [Comment on this note](http://via.hypothes.is/http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/Causal+Loop+Diagrams)