International Society for the Systems Sciences: Ecology

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International Society for the Systems Sciences
Ecology Sustainability

• The Psychology of Sustainability
• Mental Models _at_ Work
• John Adams, Ph.D.
• Saybrook Graduate School
• July 12, 2006

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Focuses

• A Convergence of the Oracles
• Mental Models and Sustainability
• Generating New Frames

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The Self Fulfilling Prophecy

• If we continue to believe as we have always
  believed, we will continue to act as we have
  always acted. If we continue to act as we have
  always acted, we will continue to get what we
  have always gotten.
• Marilyn Ferguson

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Autopilot Nature of Mindset

• The range of what we think and do is limited by
  what we fail to notice. And because we fail to
  notice that we fail to notice, there is little we
  can do to change, until we notice how failing to
  notice shapes our thoughts and deeds.
• Ronald D. Laing

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Red Blue Rose Daisy Chair
Couch Hammer Apple
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Green Rose Daisy Chair
Couch Hammer Apple
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Higher Order Thinking Required

• We cannot expect to be able to resolve any
  complex problem from within the same manner of
  thinking that created it in the first place.
• Albert Einstein

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Six Mental Models Themes

• Time Orientation
• Responsiveness
• Attention Range
• Logic Basis
• Problem Consideration
• Life Focus

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Six Common Dimensions of Thinking
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Short Term Long Term
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Reactive Creative

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Local Global

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Separation Systems
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Accountability / Blaming Learning
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Doing / Having Being / Becoming
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Predominant Mental Models

• Short Term
• Reactive
• Local / Parochial
• Either / Or
• Accountability Blame
• Doing / Having

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ECONOMICS WORLDVIEW

• Egocentric
• Machine
• Linear either/or
• Urgency
• Takers
• Fault finding
• Doing / having

• World of money
• Economic growth
• Exploitation of nature
• Business
• Jobs
• Consumerism
• Land as asset
• Development

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The Frames

• The Business of Business is Profits
• Shareholder Return
• Speed to Market

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Probably No Better !

• Long Term
• Creative
• Global
• Both / And (Systems)
• Learning
• Being

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Frames That Undermine

• Pie in the Sky
• Ivory Tower
• Flip Flop

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Versatility (Appropriate Flexibility)Is Needed
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ECOLOGICAL WORLDVIEW

• World of nature
• Balance, limits
• Harmony with nature
• Ecosystems
• Environmental protection
• Ceiling on desires
• Land as life
• Conservation

• Ecocentric
• Organism
• Holistic both/and
• Strategic
• Leavers
• Learning
• Being

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SOCIETAL WORLDVIEW

• World of people
• Human rights
• Trust cooperation
• Community
• Quality of life
• Aspiration
• New job creation
• Security

• Capability
• Self esteem
• Neighborhood / region
• Inclusiveness
• Diversity
• Justice Equity
• Altruism

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The Frames

• Were All In This Together
• Together We Can Do It
• Its A Small World After All

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Integration Is Possible Only With Versatility
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Frank Outlaw

• Watch your mindset, it becomes your thoughts.
• Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
• Watch your words, they become your actions.
• Watch your actions, they become your habits.
• Watch your habits, they become your character.
• Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.

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Mark Twain

• What gets us into trouble is not what we dont
  know. Its what we know for sure that just aint
  so.

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