SBF Language and Systems Thinking
We adopt principles of Structure-Behavior-Function (SBF) Theory of Systems to provide a common language for describing and reasoning about systems.
What is SBF Theory?
SBF Theory emerged from artificial intelligence and designed systems engineering (Goel and Chandrasekaran, 1989; Goel et al., 1996). It posits that a system is made of structures (the system components), interacting with one another through behaviors - in biology, mechanisms and relationships. The organization and interactions of structures and behaviors results in an overall function or output of the system.
SBF as a language for systems thinking in biology
The principles and terms from SBF Theory were developed for describing systems specifically and are intuitive for both novices and experts. Consequently, we believe SBF Theory is suitable as a unifying language for describing and communicating about systems.
SBF Theory has been adapted as "Component-Mechanism-Phenomenon" (CMP) for use in biology classrooms (Hmelo-Silver etc.).
Instruction and assessment developed with a SBF focus has illuminated the various challenges students face when reasoning about systems, and has been leveraged to improve students' ST capabilities (discussed in Momsen et al., 2022).
SBF language and conceptual system models
Many of our assessments include the construction of a SBF model to describe and explain how a biological system accomplishes a function.
During the course of instruction and formative assessments, students practice making SBF models and work to integrate core concepts and facts in the context of how biological systems function (typically Levels 1 and 2 of the BST Framework). They can also use their models to make predictions and inferences (Levels 2, 3, and 4 of the BST Framework).
An example of a SBF model, showing how expression of genetic information results in production of a protein.