D372 PHIL 1030 Introduction to Systems
Thinking
Objective Assessment Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
©2025
,1. Question 1
In network security, which scenario best exemplifies a reinforcing
(positive) feedback loop?
A. Automated security alerts that lead to a faster incident response.
B. A surge in network misconfigurations that triggers repeated
misconfigurations across the system.
C. Implementation of bandwidth throttling that reduces network
congestion.
D. Installing a firewall to block unauthorized access.
ANS: B
Rationale: Reinforcing feedback loops amplify a change. In option B,
misconfigurations lead to further misconfigurations if not corrected,
thereby amplifying the initial error.
2. Question 5
From a systems thinking perspective, which intervention is most likely
to serve as an effective leverage point for enhancing network security?
A. Increasing firewall throughput
B. Enhancing network segmentation to control traffic flows
C. Adding additional intrusion detection devices
D. Automating patch management
ANS: B
Rationale: Systems thinking emphasizes deep structure over
symptomatic fixes. Enhancing network segmentation alters the system’s
architecture, affecting how information flows and minimizing lateral
movement of threats.
3. Question 9
Which systems thinking tool is most commonly used to visualize
relationships and feedback loops in network security analysis?
A. Causal loop diagrams
B. Flowcharts
C. Gantt charts
©2025
, D. Mind maps
ANS: A
Rationale: Causal loop diagrams explicitly illustrate interdependencies
and feedback loops—an essential technique to analyze and communicate
system dynamics in network security.
4. Question 13
In modeling network performance using systems thinking, which
description best explains the concept of “stock and flow”?
A. Stocks represent the quantity of data buffered, while flows
represent the rate of data transfer.
B. Stocks indicate the number of network devices, and flows indicate
user traffic.
C. Stocks are hardware components, and flows are software
interactions.
D. Stocks are lost data packets, and flows represent signal strengths.
ANS: A
Rationale: In system dynamics, stocks are accumulations (e.g.,
buffered data) and flows are the rates at which these accumulations
change (e.g., data transfer rates).
5. Question 17
Which scenario best represents a balancing (negative) feedback loop in
network traffic management?
A. An increase in data load causing network congestion, which in turn
slows down further data input.
B. A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that steadily amplifies
network traffic.
C. Automatic scaling of cloud resources to meet increased demand.
D. The rapid spread of malware across the network.
ANS: A
Rationale: A balancing feedback loop seeks equilibrium. In option A,
the congestion caused by a high load naturally slows down additional
traffic, counteracting the surge.
©2025
, 6. Question 25
Which leverage point is considered most influential for a systems-
based intervention in network security?
A. Issuing terminal software patches
B. Changing information flows within the network
C. Upgrading hardware components
D. Increasing the number of security training sessions for staff
ANS: B
Rationale: Leverage points that alter how information flows often
result in deep system changes. Adjusting these flows can significantly
affect behavior across network segments.
7. Question 29
Which best illustrates the concept of system resilience in network
security from a systems thinking viewpoint?
A. A network that automatically reroutes traffic and isolates infected
nodes to recover quickly after an attack
B. A system that undergoes frequent security audits
C. A network relying on manual threat identification
D. An isolated network with no external communication
ANS: A
Rationale: A resilient network not only endures disturbances but also
adapts. Option A highlights an adaptive system that maintains service
continuity via automated recovery.
8. Question 33
Which of the following system archetypes involves initial growth that is
eventually constrained by accumulating problems?
A. Limits to Growth
B. Fixes That Fail
C. Shifting the Burden
D. Success to the Successful
ANS: A
Rationale: The “Limits to Growth” archetype describes a scenario
where initial improvements eventually encounter constraints—mirroring
©2025
Thinking
Objective Assessment Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
©2025
,1. Question 1
In network security, which scenario best exemplifies a reinforcing
(positive) feedback loop?
A. Automated security alerts that lead to a faster incident response.
B. A surge in network misconfigurations that triggers repeated
misconfigurations across the system.
C. Implementation of bandwidth throttling that reduces network
congestion.
D. Installing a firewall to block unauthorized access.
ANS: B
Rationale: Reinforcing feedback loops amplify a change. In option B,
misconfigurations lead to further misconfigurations if not corrected,
thereby amplifying the initial error.
2. Question 5
From a systems thinking perspective, which intervention is most likely
to serve as an effective leverage point for enhancing network security?
A. Increasing firewall throughput
B. Enhancing network segmentation to control traffic flows
C. Adding additional intrusion detection devices
D. Automating patch management
ANS: B
Rationale: Systems thinking emphasizes deep structure over
symptomatic fixes. Enhancing network segmentation alters the system’s
architecture, affecting how information flows and minimizing lateral
movement of threats.
3. Question 9
Which systems thinking tool is most commonly used to visualize
relationships and feedback loops in network security analysis?
A. Causal loop diagrams
B. Flowcharts
C. Gantt charts
©2025
, D. Mind maps
ANS: A
Rationale: Causal loop diagrams explicitly illustrate interdependencies
and feedback loops—an essential technique to analyze and communicate
system dynamics in network security.
4. Question 13
In modeling network performance using systems thinking, which
description best explains the concept of “stock and flow”?
A. Stocks represent the quantity of data buffered, while flows
represent the rate of data transfer.
B. Stocks indicate the number of network devices, and flows indicate
user traffic.
C. Stocks are hardware components, and flows are software
interactions.
D. Stocks are lost data packets, and flows represent signal strengths.
ANS: A
Rationale: In system dynamics, stocks are accumulations (e.g.,
buffered data) and flows are the rates at which these accumulations
change (e.g., data transfer rates).
5. Question 17
Which scenario best represents a balancing (negative) feedback loop in
network traffic management?
A. An increase in data load causing network congestion, which in turn
slows down further data input.
B. A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that steadily amplifies
network traffic.
C. Automatic scaling of cloud resources to meet increased demand.
D. The rapid spread of malware across the network.
ANS: A
Rationale: A balancing feedback loop seeks equilibrium. In option A,
the congestion caused by a high load naturally slows down additional
traffic, counteracting the surge.
©2025
, 6. Question 25
Which leverage point is considered most influential for a systems-
based intervention in network security?
A. Issuing terminal software patches
B. Changing information flows within the network
C. Upgrading hardware components
D. Increasing the number of security training sessions for staff
ANS: B
Rationale: Leverage points that alter how information flows often
result in deep system changes. Adjusting these flows can significantly
affect behavior across network segments.
7. Question 29
Which best illustrates the concept of system resilience in network
security from a systems thinking viewpoint?
A. A network that automatically reroutes traffic and isolates infected
nodes to recover quickly after an attack
B. A system that undergoes frequent security audits
C. A network relying on manual threat identification
D. An isolated network with no external communication
ANS: A
Rationale: A resilient network not only endures disturbances but also
adapts. Option A highlights an adaptive system that maintains service
continuity via automated recovery.
8. Question 33
Which of the following system archetypes involves initial growth that is
eventually constrained by accumulating problems?
A. Limits to Growth
B. Fixes That Fail
C. Shifting the Burden
D. Success to the Successful
ANS: A
Rationale: The “Limits to Growth” archetype describes a scenario
where initial improvements eventually encounter constraints—mirroring
©2025
