Reflection in Practice: Mental Models
Review Chapter 9, “Mental Models,” in Senge’s The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. Consider carefully the following concepts that are raised in the chapter:
Implicit mental models.
Left-hand column technique.
Balancing inquiry and advocacy.
Espoused theory versus theory in use.
Mental models limited to representation of events and mental models that encompass patterns of events.
Write a 300-word (minimum) paper addressed to a particular person/group in which you:
-Identify and briefly describe your target audience (individual or group).
Provide context to your audience by, in your own words, writing a brief description of mental models.
-What are mental models?
-How do mental models make possible personal and organizational learning?
-How do the principles of personal mastery and mental models interact to strengthen and reinforce one another?
-How do mental models provide a foundation for engaging in or strengthening systems thinking?
-Identify and briefly define the elements of mental models that directly pertain to your chosen group or individual.
-Explain to your audience how mental models can create opportunities for improvement within the organization.
-Your explanation should be responsive to the perspectives of your audience.
-Provide specific support for your statements and assertions as you draw connections between mental models and your examples.
-Your examples should include specific details that promote greater understanding of the aspects of mental models that you want to convey to your audience.
-At the end of your paper include at least 3 questions about mental models as they relate to your audience that, when thoughtfully considered, might promote continuous improvement and organizational learning.
-In your writing, try to make specific connections between the concept(s) in The
-Fifth Discipline and organizational details. Avoid writing in vague generalizations that do little to demonstrate a grasp of the concept or enlighten your audience.