Directions

Chapter 1 - Worldview

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Directions

Welcome to the directions page

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What do the dimensions point to?

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As we represent them here, the 'directions' are the extremities of dimensions. The order in which we present them is related to the trust-responsibility model of Deci & Ryan. But the order has no further relevance in terms of importance.

• Trust
  • 1 - Autonomy (Action dimension)
  • 2 - Connectedness (Evaluation dimension)
  • (3 - Competencies)
• Presponsibility
  • 4 - Participation (Action dimension)
  • 5 - Coherence (Evaluation dimension)
  • (6 - Relevance)

We limit ourselves on this page to the action & evaluation dimension because they are responsible for the creation of the hidden layers.

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Key take-aways from the deep dive

• Autonomy leads to 'Distinctions'
• Participation creates 'Relationships'
• Coherence strengthens 'Systems'
• Connectedness opens up 'Perspectives'

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Deep dive

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Directions relate to dimensions

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Temperament

Helen E. Fisher investigated the 'Neural Correlates of Four Broad Temperament (directions - on two dimensions)'

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ACTION DIMENSION

• Autonomy: Analytical-Tough-minded
  • Testosterone system
    • The Analytical/Tough-minded scale correlated with activation in primary areas of the occipital cortex, which mediates basic visual functions. These results are consistent with the prediction that this temperament dimension is influenced by testosterone.

• Participation: Prosocial-Empathetic
  • Estrogen and oxytocin system
    • Empathy is regularly associated with estrogen activity.

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EVALUATION DIMENSION

• Coherence: Cautious-Social Norm Compliant
  • Serotonin system

• Connectedness: Curious-Energetic
  • Dopamine and related norepinephrine system
    • ... Support for the idea that the dopamine and norepinephrine systems are important physiological correlates of the Curious/Energetic temperament dimension. Extraversion, one of the Big Five traits that has been associated with high energy has also been associated with the dopamine system.

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Study Replication

The replication of the results in two separate studies indicates that the effects are reliable. The results show an association with a dopamine-rich brain region, as well as testosterone and estrogen influences documented in many other studies. Thus, one out of the four dimensions was directly associated with the predicted biological system, and the two sex hormone-based dimensions were associated with sex hormone structural and functional effects in the brain. Moreover, the Cautious/Social Norm Compliant dimension was associated with predicted regions based on behavior, and serotonin could certainly be involved.

Content Source
Helen E. Fisher - Neural Correlates of Four Broad Temperament Dimensions: Testing Predictions for a Novel Construct of Personality - PLOS One - 2013

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Cognition

Derek Cabrerra investigated how we construct systems through our experiences. The brain is very complex and simultaneously uses the following four rules to build thought structures of great intricacy.

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ACTION DIMENSION

• Autonomy: Distinctions
  • Distinctions (identity - other) are made between and among things and ideas. How we draw or define the boundaries of a statement or a system of beliefs is essential for understanding. Whenever we draw a border to describe a thing, that same boundary defines what is not the thing (the 'other'). Distinctions are used to challenge existing norms, labels, and definitions and identify biases in the way information is structured.

• Participation: Relationships
  • Relationships (action - reaction) are defined between and among things and ideas. Without understanding how parts and wholes are related, we cannot understand much about anything, including a system. Relationships come in all types: causal, correlation, direct/indirect, etc. Systems thinkers use connections to show dynamical interactions between things and ideas, including feedback loops to show reciprocal relations.

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EVALUATION DIMENSION

• Coherence: Systems
  • Organising things and ideas into part-whole systems (part - whole) helps make meaning. Systems thinkers know that changing the way ideas are organised changes meaning itself. The act of thinking is defined as splitting things up or lumping them together. Systems thinkers constantly consider context by asking, "what is this a part of?" to see how things fit into larger wholes than is the norm.

• Connectedness: Perspectives
  • Perspectives (point - broad view) are taken and understood every time we make a distinction (including identifying relationships and systems). Systems thinkers use perspectives to rethink distinctions, relationships, and/or systems. They move beyond human or animal perspectives (i.e., "perspectives with eyes") by taking conceptual perspectives (i.e., seeing a phenomenon from the perspective of an idea or thing).

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Content Source
The global leader in systems thinking research, innovation, and impact (cabreraresearch.org)

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