In a message dated 97-12-03 09:35:35 EST, you write:
Assumptions are what I do with the things that I experience. I do this by
adding meaning to what I observe (or experience). The meanings I add are
sort of like the secret ingredients to Col Sander's batter for his fried
chicken. They come together from a variety of places, I don't really know
what all of them are, but they generally work okay.
Mental models are one of the secret ingredients in my meanings batter.
The real ironic thing is that I can change the flavor of the batter (my
mental model) by challenging or changing some of my assumptions.
--- end of quote ---
Hi Doc,
I am trying to sort out your explanation of mental models and assumptions.
I was getting into the analogy you were developing, but finally got stuck
with the phrase "the flavor of the batter (my mental model)". You started
with "assumptions as meanings and, in turn, as secret ingredients".
Further, "mental models as one of the secret ingredients of the batter",
but later, "the batter (or the flavor of the batter?) as mental model".
So, initially, both assumptions and mental models are "secret ingredients
of the batter", but, eventually, one (the "mental model") becomes "the
batter (or flavor of the batter?)"?
After reflecting on this some more, this is how I now understand what I
think you meant to say: mental models (the batter or flavor of the batter)
are constructs using various assumptions; assumptions (secret ingredients)
are the materials used to create mental models; you change an assumption,
you change the mental model.
Much like model airplanes. A model airplane is a replica of the real
thing, an attempt to represent the real thing in a scale easier to grasp
and build. So kids can become "engineers", as it were, and "understand a
seemingly complex thing" as an airplane and build one in his bedroom.
Assumptions would be the "wings, the airplane's body, its wheels, etc."
... each and every part of the plane that a kid needs to put together to
build the model. One assumes that if you fit one of these triangular
things (called "wings") to each side of the cylinder (called the
"fuselage", which itself has a pointy front and a tapered end, and so
on... then you will have a replica of a real plane. Aren't assumptions
things that you accept as real or true for the purpose of argument or
action?
So if a triangular piece doesn't fit correctly to the "fuselage's" side,
you must set it aside. The assumption doesn't fit. But if you do insist to
attach this triangular piece, which is smaller than the other piece you've
already attached to the other side of the body, then you would be building
a model airplane quite different from the picture shown on the package.
Changing your assumption, and, in turn, changing your mental model.
Have I figured it out correctly? Or did I just mess it up some more, John?
I used to take the meanings of "assumptions" and "mental models" for
granted and, for a long while, have not bothered to revisit my
understanding of these heuristic devices. Thanks for the discussion.
Chuck Gesmundo
in Minneapolis
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