The mind is an ecosystem

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Thibodeau ◽  
Anna Winneg ◽  
Cynthia Frantz ◽  
Stephen Flusberg
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Causal Structure ◽  
Target Domain ◽  
Holistic Thinking ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
The Mind

Is income inequality more of a blemish or a failing organ in our economy? Both metaphors capture something about wealth disparities, but only failing organ seems to emphasize the fact that our economy is a complex system, where activity in one region may lead to a cascade of problems in other parts of the system. In the present study, we introduce a novel method for classifying such ‘systemic’ metaphors, which reveals that people can reliably identify the extent to which a metaphor highlights the complex causal structure of a target domain. In a second experiment, we asked whether exposing people to more systemic metaphors would induce a systems-thinking mindset and influence reasoning on a seemingly unrelated task that measured the degree to which people reasoned about a domain in terms of complex causal relations. We found that participants who were primed with systemic metaphors scored higher on subsequent tasks that measured relational and holistic thinking, supporting the view that these metaphors can promote systems thinking. Our discussion highlights the potential role of systemic metaphors in facilitating reasoning and decision-making in complex domains.

A critical review and re-assessment of theories of smallholder decision-making: a case of conservation agriculture households, Zambia

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget Bwalya Umar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Uncertain Environments

AbstractDifferent theories have been posited that try to explain the decision-making process of smallholders especially regarding the adoption of new technologies or new agricultural techniques. The objective of this paper is to review and re-assess the dominant household production theories to explain the decision making of smallholders practicing conservation agriculture (CA) in the southern, eastern, and central provinces of Zambia. It also discusses the potential role of CA toward economic development. It finds that the CA smallholders studied did not aim to maximize profits but tried to secure household consumption from their own production before any other considerations in risky and uncertain environments. Their response to economic incentives was contingent on minimizing risks associated with securing a minimum level of livelihood and investing into local forms of insurance. This paper concludes that the ability for CA to contribute to rural livelihoods and economic development would depend on how adequately the factors that hinder smallholder agricultural development in general are addressed.

scholarly journals The Role of Strategic Thinking Patterns in the Quality of Administrative Decision Making

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Ahlam Ibrahim Wali ◽  
Muzaffar Hamed Ali ◽  
Ahmed Azan Sharif
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Strategic Thinking ◽  
Managerial Decision ◽  
Holistic Thinking ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
University Leaders ◽  
The University ◽  
Diagnostic Thinking

The aim of the research is to identify the role of strategic thinking patterns (holistic, abstract, diagnostic, schematic) among the university leaders in the faculties of the University of Salahuddin / Erbil. In order to reach this goal, (The type of holistic thinking, the pattern of abstract thinking, the pattern of diagnostic thinking, the pattern of schematic thinking), while the third axis of the dependent variable relates to the quality of administrative decision making. The questionnaire was distributed to 100 respondents Aclasia and the meanings of the deans and heads of scientific departments, has been pursuing the analytical descriptive approach as a way to research was the use of statistical methods SPSS to get to the search results, and research found a set of results 1-There are levels of (types of strategic thinking and quality of administrative decision-making) among the university leaders in faculties of Salahuddin University / Erbil. 2-There is a positive positive relationship between all types of strategic thinking and the quality of administrative decision-making 3- There is a significant impact of the types of strategic thinking in the quality of administrative decision - making. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that the university leaders at the university be given an interest in strategic thinking as an important factor in the quality of managerial decision making

scholarly journals Modelling plant health for policy

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glyn Jones ◽  
Adam Kleczkowski
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Open Systems ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Plant Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Systems Modelling

Plant health is relatively poorly funded compared with animal and human health issues. However, we contend it is at least as complex and likely more so given the number of pests and hosts and that outbreaks occur in poorly monitored open systems. Modelling is often suggested as a method to better consider the threats to plant health to aid resource and time poor decision makers in their prioritisation of responses. However, like other areas of science, the modelling community has not always provided accessible and relevant solutions. We describe some potential solutions to developing plant health models in conjunction with decision makers based upon a recent example and illustrate how an increased emphasis on plant health is slowly expanding the potential role of modelling in decision making. We place the research in the Credibility, Relevance and Legitimacy (CRELE) framework and discuss the implications for future developments in co-construction of policy-linked models.

scholarly journals Confronting the potential role of Yoga in the molecular profile of rural high-risk women for Diabetes: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Navneet Kaur ◽  
Shweta Ahuja ◽  
Kanupriya Sharma ◽  
Rakesh Malik ◽  
Kavita Bakshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Molecular Profile ◽  
High Risk Women ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
The Mind

Background and purpose: Yoga has been shown to have established beneficial impact through many previous studies. The mind-body practices like Yoga have an ameliorating effect on diabetes and prediabetes. The majority of prior published literature focused their attention on the glucose parameters in diabetic and prediabetic pathology. The purpose of the present pilot study is to explore the effect of AYUSH-approved Diabetic Yoga Protocol (DYP) on selected angiogenesis and neurogenesis markers in high-risk rural women for Diabetes. Methods: Total 15 high-risk women for Diabetes were selected from rural area of Chandigarh, for a 3-month DYP intervention. The pre-post single group experimental research design was implemented in the study. The changes in angiogenesis, neurogenesis parameters, and leptin were assessed at baseline and after 3 months after DYP intervention. Results: The result of the present study revealed that after 3 months of DYP intervention the statistically significant improvements were noticed on serum VEGF levels (p = 0.039). The improvements in angiogenin and BDNF levels were also seen after DYP practice. Conclusion: The results highlight the potential role of DYP on cellular growth and neuronal survival. Keywords: Diabetic Yoga Protocol, Indian Diabetes Risk Score, Prediabetes, angiogenesis, neurogenesis.

scholarly journals Empowering Clinical Decision Making in Oligometastatic Colorectal Cancer: The Potential Role of Drug Screening of Patient-Derived Organoids

2021 ◽  
pp. 1192-1199
Author(s):  
Gianluca Mauri ◽  
Erika Durinikova ◽  
Alessio Amatu ◽  
Federica Tosi ◽  
Andrea Cassingena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Drug Screening ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision

Relativiteit en succes van een Europees voorzitterschap : Het Belgisch voorzitterschap van naderbij bekeken

Res Publica ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-141
Author(s):  
Jan Beyers ◽  
Bart Kerremans
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
European Union ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States

The Belgian Presidency is generally seen as being a success. On many difficult questions, the Belgians succeeded in forging compromises between the member states. There is a risk however, that the apparent successes of this Presidency will lead to an over-estimation of the role which a EU-president can play. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to its limits and possibilities. It can help to relativize the Belgian presidency and to improve insights into the potential role of EU-presidents within the decision-making of the European Union.

The Indaba in African Values-Based Practice

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.W. van Staden ◽  
K. W. M. Fulford
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Her Family ◽  
African Context ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Communicative Processes

This chapter shows how a particular kind of meeting, called in isiZulu the indaba, contributes toBatho Pele, an African values-based practice. First, it explores the challenge of values diversity, including what it means to respect diversity of values, and the different responses to the challenge from regulatory ethics and from values-based practice. It then explores the challenge of diversity in an African context through the story of a real (though biographically disguised) person, Ms. Precious Pelo, her family members and clinicians. Ms. Pelo’s story shows the need for substantive (process-focused) rather than merely executive (outcomes-focused) communicative processes in responding to the challenge of values diversity in clinical decision-making. Finally, it describes part of an indaba convened for Ms. Pelo, its opening minutes illustrating many of the key features ofBatho Pele. We conclude with an indication of the potential role of indabas in other areas of values-based practice.

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