2026年1月托福机经套卷(第5套)Read an Academic Passage5 道题

Sociocybernetics: Understanding Complex Social Systems

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Sociocybernetics: Understanding Complex Social Systems Sociocybernetics is a field that provides tools to analyze complex social systems, merging sociology and cybernetics. By applying principles of feedback, control, and communication from cybernetics, sociologists can understand how societies function. A key concept in sociocybernetics is self-organization. This is the process in which social systems develop ordered patterns without centralized control. Feedback loops are crucial in sociocybernetics. Positive feedback amplifies changes, leading to rapid social transformations. Negative feedback stabilizes systems, maintaining equilibrium. In economic systems, positive feedback can result in booming markets, while negative feedback can prevent financial crises. Recognizing these mechanisms helps sociologists predict and influence social dynamics Communication is another critical aspect. Effective communication channels within social systems impact their stability and adaptability. Misinformation or communication breakdowns can disrupt social cohesion and lead to chaos. Sociocybernetic models highlight the importance of transparent information flow in maintaining healthy social systems. These models also explore how digital technologies influence communication patterns. Sociocybernetics is important to urban planning. Cities are complex systems with numerous interacting components. Using sociocybernetic principles, urban planners design more resilient cities by modeling traffic patterns, resource distribution, and emergency response strategies. This approach helps create sustainable urban environments that better respond to changes.

Question 1查看单题

The word "amplifies" in the passage is closest in meaning to

Adelays

Bincreases

Csimplifies

Dsuggests

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正确答案：B

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Question 2查看单题

Which of the following can be inferred about positive and negative feedback?

APositive feedback leads to outcomes that are more beneficial than those from negative feedback.

BNegative feedback is easier for sociologists to recognize than positive feedback.

CPositive and negative feedback both provide systems with beneficial information.

DPositive feedback is more common in progressive social systems than negative feedback.

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正确答案：C

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Question 3查看单题

According to sociocybernetic models, effective communication is important for

Apreventing misinformation

Bmaintenance of social cohesion

Ctransparent information flow

Dproviding successful digital technologies

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正确答案：B

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Question 4查看单题

What is an aspect of urban environments that makes them a suitable object of study for sociocybernetics?

AThey involve many interacting components.

BThey can be made more resilient when designed using scientific principles.

CThey feature ideal traffic patterns.

DThey respond better to changes when they are more sustainable.

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正确答案：A

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Question 5查看单题

There are four locations █ in the passage that indicate where the following sentence could be added.

The latter is concerned with the comparative study of automatic control systems, such as the nervous system.

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