What is feedback that increases change and promotes deviation from an equilibrium called?

Positive feedback is a mechanism that enhances or accelerates changes in a system, promoting deviations from an equilibrium state. In biological systems, this type of feedback loop results in outputs that amplify the initial stimulus. For example, during childbirth, the release of oxytocin increases uterine contractions, which in turn stimulates further release of oxytocin, creating a cycle that intensifies the action until a specific goal – the birth of the baby – is achieved.

In contrast, negative feedback works to counteract changes and restore balance within a system, which is essential for maintaining homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the stable internal conditions that living organisms strive to maintain, and stability feedback is not a recognized biological term in the context of feedback mechanisms.

Therefore, in the context of the question, positive feedback is correctly identified as the process that increases change rather than stabilizing or counteracting it.