> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.h3uni.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.h3uni.org/exercise/causal-loops.md).
# Causal Loops
This exercise helps you understand how growth patterns arise from the interaction of **reinforcing** and **balancing** feedback loops.\
By identifying key variables and their relationships, you can see what accelerates growth, what limits it, and how behaviour evolves over time.
***
### **Exercise Instructions**
1. **Choose an area in your life or work where you want to see growth.**\
This is your growth parameter of interest. Label this **Variable 1**.
2. **Identify a related variable that accelerates growth** and becomes stronger as Variable 1 increases.\
This is **Variable 2**, your *growth accelerator*.
3. **Identify another related variable that limits or erodes growth**, becoming stronger as Variable 1 grows.\
This is **Variable 3**, your *growth inhibitor*.
4. **Consider how these variables interact** through reinforcing (R) and balancing (B) loops.\
The reinforcing loop increases growth momentum, while the balancing loop eventually constrains it.
5. **Reflect on the Behaviour Over Time graph.**\
Notice how the balancing loop places limits on growth, shaping the characteristic curve of Variable 1 over time.
***
## License and Attribution
If this method supports your practice, **especially commercially**, **please consider contributing** to sustain the Resource Library.
:arrow-right: [**Donate to Support the Library**](/funding-and-support.md)
Creative Commons **Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license framework.**
***
{% hint style="info" %}
## How to Use this License
CC BY-BY-SA
This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms.
[Read about Open Access to H3Uni Methods and Materials](/h3uni-ethos-and-creative-commons.md)\
[View License Deed](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) | [View Legal Code](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
{% endhint %}
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://www.h3uni.org/exercise/causal-loops.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.