Psychology Wiki

Virtuous circle and vicious circle

34,196pages on
this wiki



In many parts of psychology there is an assumption that a complex system of determinants will tend to lead to a state of equilibrium. When this tendency is absent we use terms like virtuous circle and vicious circle (or virtuous cycle and vicious cycle) to describe these unstable pattern of events. Both circles are complexes of events with no tendency towards equilibrium (at least in the short run). Both systems of events have feedback loops in which each iteration of the cycle reinforces the first (positive feedback). The difference between the two is that a virtuous cycle has favorable results and a vicious cycle has deleterious results. These cycles will continue in the direction of their momentum until an exogenous factor intervenes and stops the cycle. The prefix “hyper” is sometimes used to describe these cycles. A well known vicious circle is hypervigilance.

Example of a vicious circle in psychologyEdit

In clinical psychology many conditions are exacerbated by vicious cycles (eg being depressed about being depressed) and by the failure of the usual self-care virtous circles to function (eg Anxiety can prevent sleep which might lead to less anxiety which might allow more rest which might lead to recovery and the reestablishment of equilibrium.

Example of a virtuous circle in psychologyEdit

In clinical psychology recovery is often facilitated in cognitive behaviour therapy by the identification of vicious cycles of thoughts and behaviour and the development of fresh strategies to start virtuos cycle up into operation. In phobias for example the avoidant respose can prevent sufferers remaining in the presence of the feared stimulus (eg dog) long enough to see that the are not really a threat. By encouraging people to remain with the situation, they learn there is no threat, which increases confidence, which makes it easier to cope with the threat, which could even lead to enjoying dog and keeping one as a pet, which could lead to better fitness and better mental health etc. etc

Example of a virtuous circle in managementEdit

Virtuous circle in management

Virtuous circle


Example of a vicious circle in managementEdit

A harvesting strategy can be an example of a vicious circle. Rather than reinvesting in employee development, new product development, and marketing research, management could decide to harvest their investment by reducing costs then increasing dividends or increasing executive compensation. The consequence of this could be reduced employee wages, minimal training, an outdated product line, and a failure to understand the needs of the customer. This will likely result in employee dissatisfaction, employee incompetence, and high employee turnover. This could cause poor service delivery, customer dissatisfaction, high customer turnover, and loss of market share. Reduced sales and lower profit margins may require a further reduction in investment thereby initiating another iteration of the vicious cycle.

See also==Edit


External sourcesEdit

Cognitive psychology


Around Wikia's network

Random Wiki