Bonjour Pamela and happy LOers,
the mental models subject is in my opinion the widest of all, while I feel
there is little news to get from HIC.
If "We think merely through/upon models" as once wrote Paul Valiry ( "
Nous ne raisonnons que sur des modhles "), it is our relation to reality
which is put to question. Depending on whether you hold a positivist or
constructivist position, you will take that the models you have in mind
are a reflection of a concrete reality out there, or you will hold that
the models through which you think are a frame of reference that shapes
your reality. It is therefore closely related to the foundations of human
rationality.
The neurosciences and cognitive sciences are mostly sharing the first
view. Hubert Dreyfus wrote a book on Artificial Intelligence (french
edition "Intelligence Artificielle, mythes et realites") which I
appreciated very much. Along with that line of thought, I found Francisco
Varela's book on Cognitive sciences a good overview, even if quite
centered on the enaction thesis. Also, a well-known book by Winograd and
Florhs ("L'intelligence artificielle en question").
[Host's Note: I think the English versions of these and related references
are:
Hubert L. Dreyfus and Stuart E. Dreyfus, Mind over Machine, Free Press,
1986.
Hubert L. Dreyfus, What Computers *Still* can't Do: A Critique of
Artificial Reason, MIT Press 1979
Winograd & Flores, Understanding Computers and Cognition, ?? -- a very,
very interesting book whether you are interested in computers or not.
Sorry, I do not know Varela's book. A recent publication is Spinosa,
Flores & Dreyfus, Disclosing New Worlds, MIT Press 1997
... Rick]
How we construct our models (yes I am a plain constructivist :) has been
studied by many, to begin with philosophers. In my opinion, the
elaboration of models can never be separated from sensemaking. Jean Piaget
has built a whole theory on how children acquire knowledge and equilibrate
their mental organisation through assimilation or accomodation.
In my opinion, mental models are more than just beliefs one would have on
a more or less profound level. They are an organisation of our knowledge,
that organises and is organised by our environment. F.A. Hayek's "Sensory
Order" was a good source of information to me on the importance of tacit
knowledge in our mental models, and on how much it is socially elaborated.
One definition of complexity is 'cannot be held by a finite model'. The
idea that a mental model might or should be complete stems from the
assumption that the objects we have in mind are a reflection of reality.
It goes along well with the traditional economical theory which holds the
view of perfectly rational choices based upon pure and perfect
information. H.A. Simon has for long shown that decisions where seldom
the outcome of a linear process, with the computation of infinite
informations. Rather, the selective search for informations transforms the
intelligence of the situation, or even the models upon which this
intelligence is based.
So what about HCI ? In the line of the Gestaltists, G. Bateson has
stressed the importance of context in the process of selection and
identification. Because information systems and programs' ergonomy
structure the way information is handled, HCI has an impact on people and
their representation systems. But not more than most structures they are
living in, organisations to begin with.
Sorry for the long post. Yet there is so much to say, I could just say
little with vague statements (each time I write on this subject my
thinking clarifies, the intelligence of the subject is modified according
to Simon's model ;-) . If you read french, I can forward you a text in
Word 6 format on those topics.
Cheers
-- Frank Billot --- 820 chemin traversier 84210 Pernes les Fontaines France mailto:fbillot@avignon.pacwan.net telephone 33 4 90 66 53 24Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>