The term 'non-physicochemical' describes processes, properties, or factors that are not primarily related to or governed by physical and chemical principles. It encompasses aspects that are independent of, or less directly influenced by, the physical and chemical characteristics of a substance or system. This includes, but is not limited to, biological, social, psychological, informational, and ethical elements. These non-physicochemical elements can be causative in effect but function outside of the physical and chemical realm, being driven more by factors such as organism behaviour, data input, consciousness or external controls. The interactions may still involve physical and chemical changes as an outcome, yet the driving forces are not physical or chemical phenomena themselves. This classification helps to differentiate between phenomena explained by scientific principles and those whose explanations require different frameworks. The term is particularly useful in fields like biology, medicine, and information science, where complex interactions often involve a blend of physicochemical and non-physicochemical aspects.
Non-physicochemical meaning with examples
- In studying animal behavior, we observe patterns such as migration that aren't directly driven by changes in environmental chemistry or physics, but by instinct and environmental signals. The decisions are based on species specific genetic code and social structures. Therefore, understanding the animal requires attention to these non-physicochemical elements.
- The spread of a disease can be influenced by sanitation and other physicochemical elements. However, factors like social distancing, vaccinations and hygiene behaviour, which are non-physicochemical influences are extremely relevant in limiting the spread of infection. Ignoring the psychological drivers would make modelling futile.
- Designing an artificial intelligence system requires more than just coding and processing power. It involves understanding how the human mind learns, adapts, and makes decisions. This encompasses non-physicochemical elements which include algorithms such as 'feedback loops' and 'reward functions' which can drive the response.
- During a pharmaceutical investigation, a drug's efficacy isn't solely determined by its chemical properties or the kinetics of interactions. Placebo effects and patient adherence, influenced by psychological and environmental factors, are non-physicochemical influences on overall treatment outcomes. This often requires a double-blind study.
- Economic systems involve not only flows of money and material production, which are physicochemical. But also, human behavior, trust, market sentiment, and societal regulations are elements of non-physicochemical origins. It is critical to model factors from outside chemistry or physics to predict trends or impacts.