System behavior is generated by these models and the results of that behavior lead the system to maintain, enhance, or change the content of an internal model. If a model generates behavior that has a positive result for the system, it will be maintained or enhanced. If the result is negative and the system survives the experience, the internal model is altered in an effort to obtain a more positive result in the future. Whether the existence of these patterns and internal models demonstrate proof of human social group anticipation of future events per se is debatable. It does seem however, that most human groups are, to some degree, based upon anticipation of future events.
Evidence is stronger for similarities among certain principles than for others.
In particular, the existence of unconscious, changing patterns in groups and organizations has been substantiated, which supports the notion that the whole of human groups indeed exhibit traits above or separate from the sum of their parts. Likewise, the role of cooperation and competition in groups has been extensively explored and role shifts within the system have been demonstrated as well. It is only with regard to central or dispersed control that there seems to be no clear cut evidence or overwhelming theoretical support. It order to conclude that human social groups are indeed complex adaptive systems it will be necessary to conduct further research with particular emphasis upon the issue of whether control of social systems is essentially centralized or dispersed. It seems that one scenario ideally suited to test either hypothesis would be one in which a newly formed group with a defined task and a recently emerged leader or leaders were to find itself suddenly leaderless.