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Chapter 5: System Archetypes and Root Cause Analysis Quiz

Test your understanding of system archetypes, root cause analysis techniques, and structural patterns that perpetuate harm.

1. What is a system archetype?

  1. The original version of a system before modifications
  2. A common pattern of behavior that appears across many different systems
  3. The most successful type of system design
  4. An ancient system that no longer exists
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. System archetypes are common structural patterns of behavior that appear across many different systems. Recognizing these patterns (like "Limits to Growth" or "Shifting the Burden") helps identify likely dynamics and intervention points.

Concept Tested: System Archetypes

See: Introduction to System Archetypes

2. What characterizes the "Limits to Growth" archetype?

  1. Growth continues indefinitely without any constraints
  2. A reinforcing growth process eventually encounters a limiting factor that slows or stops growth
  3. Growth is always harmful and should be prevented
  4. Systems have no natural limits
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The "Limits to Growth" archetype describes how a reinforcing growth process eventually encounters a limiting factor (such as resource depletion, market saturation, or environmental constraints) that slows, stops, or reverses the growth.

Concept Tested: Limits to Growth Archetype

See: Limits to Growth

3. What happens in the "Shifting the Burden" archetype?

  1. Responsibility is appropriately distributed among stakeholders
  2. A quick fix addresses symptoms but undermines the ability to implement fundamental solutions
  3. The burden of proof shifts from industry to regulators
  4. Weight is physically shifted from one location to another
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. In "Shifting the Burden," a quick fix addresses symptoms but creates side effects that undermine the ability or motivation to implement fundamental solutions. Over time, reliance on the symptomatic solution grows while the fundamental solution becomes harder to pursue.

Concept Tested: Shifting the Burden Archetype

See: Shifting the Burden

4. What is the "Tragedy of the Commons" archetype?

  1. A sad story with an unhappy ending
  2. When individuals overuse a shared resource because they capture benefits while costs are shared
  3. When resources are unfairly distributed by the government
  4. A situation where no one uses common resources
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The "Tragedy of the Commons" occurs when individuals, acting in their own self-interest, overuse and deplete a shared resource because each user captures the full benefit of use while the costs are distributed among all users. This leads to resource degradation that harms everyone.

Concept Tested: Tragedy of the Commons Archetype

See: Tragedy of the Commons

5. What is the "5 Whys" technique used for?

  1. Asking five different people the same question
  2. Digging deeper into causal chains by repeatedly asking "why" to uncover root causes
  3. Limiting your analysis to only five variables
  4. Taking five minutes to solve a problem
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The "5 Whys" technique involves repeatedly asking "why" (typically about five times) to dig deeper into causal chains and uncover root causes rather than stopping at surface-level explanations. Each answer reveals a deeper level of causation.

Concept Tested: 5 Whys Technique

See: The 5 Whys Technique

6. What is the "Iceberg Model" in root cause analysis?

  1. A model only used in cold weather research
  2. A framework showing events (visible) are driven by patterns, structures, and mental models (hidden beneath the surface)
  3. A model that only examines surface-level phenomena
  4. A technique for studying ocean ecosystems
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Iceberg Model shows that visible events (the tip of the iceberg) are driven by patterns of behavior over time, which are driven by underlying system structures, which are driven by deep mental models and assumptions. Most causation is "below the waterline."

Concept Tested: Iceberg Model

See: The Iceberg Model

7. What is the "Success to the Successful" archetype?

  1. A pattern where success is equally distributed to all participants
  2. When initial advantages lead to further advantages, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of inequality
  3. A guarantee that hard work leads to success
  4. When successful companies share their profits with unsuccessful ones
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. "Success to the Successful" describes how initial advantages (resources, reputation, market position) lead to further advantages, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. Those who start ahead get further ahead while those who start behind fall further behind.

Concept Tested: Success to the Successful Archetype

See: Success to the Successful

8. What distinguishes proximate causes from root causes?

  1. Proximate causes are located nearby; root causes are located far away
  2. Proximate causes are immediate triggers; root causes are the deeper structural factors that made the proximate causes possible
  3. Proximate causes are always correct; root causes are theoretical
  4. There is no meaningful difference between them
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Proximate causes are the immediate triggers of a problem (e.g., a worker makes an error). Root causes are the deeper structural factors that made the proximate causes possible or likely (e.g., inadequate training, pressure to cut corners, poor system design).

Concept Tested: Proximate vs Root Causes

See: Proximate vs Root Causes

9. In the "Fixes that Fail" archetype, what typically happens?

  1. All fixes permanently solve the problem
  2. A fix works initially but creates unintended consequences that eventually make the problem worse
  3. Fixes are never attempted because they always fail
  4. Problems solve themselves without intervention
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. In "Fixes that Fail," a solution initially improves the problem but creates unintended consequences (side effects) that, after a delay, make the original problem worse than before. This leads to escalating intervention and worsening outcomes.

Concept Tested: Fixes that Fail Archetype

See: Fixes that Fail

10. Why is identifying system archetypes useful for designing interventions?

  1. Archetypes guarantee that interventions will succeed
  2. Recognizing the archetype reveals the typical leverage points and likely pitfalls for that pattern
  3. Archetypes eliminate the need for data analysis
  4. Every system fits exactly one archetype
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Recognizing which archetype is operating helps because each archetype has typical leverage points (where interventions are most effective) and typical pitfalls (where interventions commonly fail). This pattern recognition accelerates diagnosis and intervention design.

Concept Tested: Archetype-Based Intervention Design

See: Using Archetypes for Intervention