Feedback

From Biomedical Cybernetics

German: Rückkoppelung

A system whose output acts modulatory back to its input is referred to as feedback mechanism, e.g. as degenerative feedback in feedback control systems.

In degenerative feedback loops (e.g. negative feedback) the output signal is apt to inhibit the system's input, whereas in positive feedback as well as in other regenerative feedback processes the output amplifies the input signal.

Cybernetic systems theory mathematically analyses feedback processes.