Read
Collins, A., & Gentner, D. (1987). How people construct mental models. In D. Holland & N. Quinn (Eds.), Cultural Models in Language and Thought (pp. 243-265). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
http://groups.psych.northwestern.edu/gentner/papers/CollinsGentner87.pdf
Reflect
Upon reading the Collins and Gentner article and the explanation on mental models, what were some new things that I discovered?
Mental models seem to be based on having a level of assumption or preconceived unconscious bias based on past experience and is revealed when you react emotionally to particular situations. Analogy is used to assist us explaining how we may perceive a situation, concept or idea. I like the analogy of two different games say tennis and golf; each of these games has rules which govern play. Two different people come to a situation with different rules of play…both situations or games have balls and there is an element of striking the balls with an tool to propel it forward, but from this point there are many differences. When one person can see the rules or preconceptions of another then this can assist the situation. Once you can be aware and reflect on your own mental models, there would be an opening of the mind to other ways of thinking and resolving issues. Also mental models can be proactively constructed for complex situations to assist in understanding how something works. Telling stories, for example, can assist minds in understanding difficult concepts such as emotions. Take for example the story of how we can demonstrate positive and negative feelings and how we can transfer them to others by the story or filling of buckets…when you say negative things you empty your bucket and the bucket of the other person, but when you say nice complementary things you fill your own and their bucket. The physical idea of filling a bucket is a concept that a child can understand and so this analogy expresses complex social relationships in a simple way and constructs a model in the child.
What is/are my mental model/s when I enact leadership roles?
First it is important to share which leadership roles I see myself as playing. I am a father, a student advisor, a teacher and a motivational speaker. Each hat that I wear, gives me an opportunity to be a leader in a different way and each can be complimentary to the others. As a father I get the most amount of flexibility in trying to understand my behavour and reflect on what my mental models are. Within a family environment there are always strong emotions at either end of the spectrum. Thus, mental models are flooding by at an incredible rate. As a leader in this sense, the ideal would be to try and resolve the conflict by talking and using education to enact a change in behavior. As a student advisor I try to get on the same level of the student and take on a customer centered mentality. I naturally empathize with those around me and see everyone on a journey where eventual success is possible. As a teacher, I step back from a position of power to one more focused on facilitating students toward understanding. Finally as a motivational speaker, I try to inspire those in front of me to something more.
Respond
How important is knowledge and awareness of mental models to leaders in educational contexts?
It is very important for mental models of leaders in educational contexts as it can assist with relationships, explain complex ideas and add another dimension to education. Senge (1990) indicates that mental models are defective as people are making decisions which result from “past experience and unsubstantiated assumptions”. However, If someone is aware of the concept of mental models it can assist them in seeing the underlying assumptions of their own reactions to situations; to take a step back from the situation which would allow greater levels of clarity and therefore being able to see things with greater depth. A leader would be less likely to blankly stereo type and more likely to try and delve into other peoples individual perceptions of a situation. This ability to be adaptable would enhance the number of ways of seeing the world. As mental models can be useful in explaining difficult concepts through analogy, knowledge of this from the leaders perspective would be beneficial when needing to clarify complicated situations or ideas. Finally, an understanding of mental models can have educational advantages, as consciously constructed mental models can assist learners in digesting complex ideas.
Senge, P.M. (1990). The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization, NY: Doubleday Currency
craynerblog 