What term describes the study of how input and outputs are managed in self-regulating processes?

The term that describes the study of how input and outputs are managed in self-regulating processes is Cybernetics. This field focuses on the communication and control systems in living organisms, machines, and organizations. It examines how information is processed and how systems maintain stability and adapt through feedback loops.

In a cybernetic system, feedback is crucial as it helps to inform adjustments and changes necessary for achieving desired outcomes. By analyzing these self-regulating processes, cybernetics provides insights into complex behaviors and interactions within various systems, making it a foundational concept in understanding how systems operate effectively.

Information Theory primarily deals with the quantification, storage, and communication of information but does not specifically focus on self-regulating processes. Systems Theory looks at the organization and interrelated components of systems but is broader in scope than the specific study of regulation and control. A Feedback Mechanism refers specifically to the mechanism itself within a system that uses feedback to adjust outputs based on inputs but does not represent the study of these processes as a whole. Thus, Cybernetics is the most accurate term for this context.