Instability

The loss of stability of attractors of dynamical systems induced by gradual change of parameter values of the associated differential equation (or iterative map).  Such instabilities, also called bifurcations, are accompanied by increased variability and reduced resistance against perturbations of the state of the system.  They can lead to large changes in state (e.g., switching to a new attractor. 

See Attractor, Bifurcation, Dissipative stem, Dissaipative system, Dynamic field theory, Dynamical systems approaches, Stability, Transition