Keywords

catastrophe theory, chaos theory, nonlinear

 

Authors

  1. Lanza, Marilyn Lewis DNSc, ARNP, CS, EEFAAN

Abstract

Nonlinear relationships are attracting much attention in nursing. Nonlinear dynamics are used abstractly as theory and also may be applied in a concrete sense to explain data. There is often confusion and misunderstanding about aspects of nonlinear dynamics. This article explores two of the more well known areas of nonlinear dynamics-chaos and catastrophe theory. A summary of each is given, areas of commonality and distinction are explored, and guidelines for application are identified.