This model suggests that small causes can have large effects over time or distance. It's particularly applicable to complex systems and environments.
The butterfly effect is a concept that explains how small actions can have large, unpredictable consequences. It is a phenomenon inherent to complex systems, most famously used in the context of weather prediction. The term came from the metaphorical example of a tornado being influenced by minor perturbations such as the flapping of the wings of a distant butterfly several weeks earlier. In human behavior, a small action like a casual compliment may set the stage for someone's boosted self-esteem and could possibly influence their future achievements and interactions with others.
'The flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil could set off a tornado in Texas.' - Edward Norton Lorenz
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