What's in a Mental Model of a Dynamic System? : On the Conceptual Structure and Approaches to Model Comparison
ISBN
978-1-935056-03-04
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2009-07-26
Author(s)
Abstract
This paper deals with the representation of mental models of dynamic systems (MMDS). The notion of mental model has always been fundamental in system dynamics, and 10 years ago, a specific definition was introduced. However, no conceptual model of what MMDS contain was offered. Since then, two assessment and comparison methods from other fields have been borrowed, one trying to express the distance, the other expressing the closeness. The question is if they are equivalent in procedure and results, and how they satisfy specific needs of system dynamics. Two exemplary models are compared with each of the methods, which are found to de different in procedure and in results they produce. Additionally, they ignore the feedback loop concept. So a conceptual model for the structure of MMDS and a method for comparing are proposed; application to the exemplary models shows some alleged advantages. A preliminary conclusion is that more discussion and comparative work are needed.
Language
English
Keywords
mental model
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Book title
Proceedings of the 27th International System Dynamics Conference
Publisher
Curran Associates, Inc.
Publisher place
Red Hook; USA
Start page
200
End page
220
Pages
21
Event Title
27th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society
Event Location
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A.
Event Date
26.-30.07.2009
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
53554