The individual and society are inseparable. Both are indispensable parts of our lives, intertwined and mutually supportive structures in such a way that one cannot exist without the other. Since the smallest unit of society is composed of individuals, and societal structures influence the thoughts and behaviors of individuals, it is reasonable to explain social behaviors through feedback loops.
As life becomes increasingly complex, control and supervision gradually diminish. Through division of labor and specialization, however, we systematize this complexity and the functioning within the flow. At this point, the concept of cybernetics comes into play. Cybernetics, in its simplest definition, is the science of control and communication. It focuses on explaining and understanding feedback loops that clarify the behavior of systems at every level, ranging from machines to living organisms, and even societies. An everyday example of this at the level of the individual is the experience of feeling cold or hot. Such physiological fluctuations are themselves cybernetic processes. When there is a deviation beyond a certain limit, an automatic balancing mechanism—homeostasis—restores stability. From this perspective, we can see that the functioning of nearly everything intersects with cybernetic systems.
Individual and Society as a System
If we approach society as a system, each individual naturally becomes a component of that system. The behaviors of individuals are continuously shaped and altered through stimuli arising from this mutual interaction. At the same time, individual behaviors in turn shape societal norms and rules. This mutual structuring process is what we call a feedback loop.
If a behavior is rewarded by society, the frequency of that behavior increases and becomes reinforced. A typical example of this in daily life is our use of social media. As our likes, comments, or view counts increase, we are drawn further into these platforms. Because this serves as positive feedback, the number of users has been rapidly increasing, as have abnormal screen-time statistics. On the other hand, negative feedback also plays a role. Behaviors punished or disapproved by society tend to decrease in frequency. A simple everyday example is traffic laws: if a car is parked in the wrong place, towed away, and fined, it is highly unlikely that this behavior will be repeated.
Thus, this perspective demonstrates that social order is maintained not only through rules but also through a constantly operating network of communication and reciprocal feedback loops, which sustain and regulate order through interaction.
Cybernetics and Psychotherapy
In recent times, the rapid transformation of social structures and the challenges individuals face in adapting to the digital world have made psychotherapy an increasingly essential need. To better understand this process, it is useful to view psychotherapy as a micro-system. The communication established between clients and therapists is built upon feedback loops that operate within the principles of cybernetics.
The client’s narrative is first listened to and absorbed by the therapist, then reflected back, and finally reframed. In response, the therapist provides feedback. Hearing their own experiences reframed allows the client to reassess their thoughts and behaviors. At this point, new thoughts and behaviors emerge. These newly constructed schemas and behaviors are tested both in therapy sessions and in daily life. The results then return to the therapeutic environment, forming a cycle.
This process mirrors the cycle of input, process, output, and feedback loops found in control systems, but within a psychological context. In family therapy and systemic therapies in particular, many issues that individuals perceive as internal problems are revealed to originate not within the person, but within patterns of communication or relational contexts.
Here, the greatest strength of the cybernetic perspective lies in its ability to provide a framework for both the therapist–client relationship and the mechanisms through which change occurs. When we attempt to understand the relationship between the individual and society, or the communication between therapist and client, cybernetics shows us that behaviors are not merely shaped by linear cause-and-effect relationships, but by constantly functioning feedback loops. Viewing society as a system highlights how individual behaviors are reinforced at a social level, while examining therapy through a cybernetic lens underscores the critical role of communication and feedback in enabling change.
Conclusion
In summary, the cybernetic perspective offers a powerful lens through which to comprehend both individual–society dynamics and psychotherapy processes. Cybernetics, or systems management, as a behavioral science, reveals how behaviors are shaped and how change becomes possible through feedback loops. On a social level, the mechanisms of rewards and punishments maintain order, while in the therapeutic context, feedback allows clients to gain insight and adopt new patterns of behavior. In this way, cybernetics serves as a bridge for understanding both social systems and individual healing.