Systems Thinking Research & Leadership Development Institute (STRLDi)
Strategy Consulting & Corporate Development Training for Learning Organizations
The System Archetype Compendium reveals the structural patterns behind recurring crises in nations and organizations, emphasizing that awareness rather than funding drives transformation. It compiles case studies to encourage national dialogue and learning about systemic issues, providing tools to prevent crises and foster governance through understanding.
The content discusses the concept of manipulated mental models, emphasizing how controlling narratives maintains power across social layers. It argues that transparency can undermine authority and highlights the importance of recognizing the difference between protection and manipulation. By addressing hidden agendas, trust and empathy can improve relational dynamics.
The content explores the distinction and relationship between unconscious stories we tell ourselves and the deliberate narratives we present to others. While unconscious stories shape our perceptions unknowingly, masked stories are crafted consciously to influence others. Both types can trap us, impacting personal growth and integrity, highlighting the importance of self-awareness.
Kenneth Craik introduced “mental models” in his 1943 book, exploring how humans understand and act in the world. He was influenced by early cybernetics, dissatisfaction with behaviorism, and his background in psychology and physiology. Craik’s insights laid the groundwork for cognitive science, AI, and the impact of beliefs on decision-making.
Cognitive psychology emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the limitations of behaviorism, which ignored internal mental processes. Key catalysts like World War II, information theory, and advancements in computer science prompted a shift toward studying the mind’s role in processing information, leading to foundational concepts and figures in the field.
From Inner Maps to Systemic Tools for Transformation Here is a comprehensive write-up tracing the evolution of the concept of Mental Models — from its philosophical roots to the discipline as defined in The Fifth Discipline. This version is written for a thoughtful reader — who is curious not only about what the concept is, … Continue reading Tracing the Lineage of Mental Models
Systems Thinking Research & Leadership Development Institute (STRLDi) 