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A Photo Elicitation of Systemic Perception

A Photo Elicitation of Systemic Perception. Rachel Jones, Aalto University, Helsinki rachelcornerJones@gmail.com Jim Corner, Waikato University, New Zealand. Introduction. Professor Jim Corner. Professor Esa Saarinen. Professor Raimo P. Hämäläinen. Existing Approaches to Systems.

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A Photo Elicitation of Systemic Perception

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  1. A Photo Elicitation of Systemic Perception Rachel Jones, Aalto University, Helsinki rachelcornerJones@gmail.com Jim Corner, Waikato University, New Zealand

  2. Introduction Professor Jim Corner Professor Esa Saarinen Professor Raimo P. Hämäläinen

  3. Existing Approaches to Systems • Systems Dynamics = external conceptualization of systems, modeling • Soft Systems Methodology = internal conceptualization of systems, problem-solving • Systems Intelligence = co-evolving with systems, living well Perceiving systems important to all the approaches.

  4. Motivation to explore photo elicitation (1) • Extensive systems literature, however… • Average person unable to: • articulate their understanding of systems • apply systems thinking formally (Dawidowicz, 2012) • Systems awareness/thinking is important; needs to be applied more often (Goekler, 2003; Stowell, 2007; Colbert et al., 2011) • Systems community needs fresh approaches

  5. Motivation to explore photo elicitation (2) • Systems Intelligence (SI) accounts for the human capacity to act intelligently in systems (Hämäläinen, R. P, & Saarinen, E., 2006) • Systemic perception a key dimension of SI • SI theoretically explored but needs tools that place the actor in the system

  6. Our study • Method: • Exploratory, qualitative, photos, thematic analysis. • 15 university students at Aalto University, Helsinki. • Data collection: • Each take 10 photos of important systems in their lives. • Write for each - why this, what system does each photo represent? • Six weeks later…overall reflection on this photo process.

  7. Research questions • What systems do people perceive? • What key aspects of systems are present (and absent)? • How does thinking about systems effect/affect their understanding? • What value, if any, does photo elicitation have for engaging with systems?

  8. Photo elicitation as a method Mix (Petersen and Ostergaard, 2004)

  9. Sample Photos

  10. Findings – Theme, Type, Within Participants

  11. Findings – systems concepts discussed

  12. Findings • Initial data: • Did not initially understand what a system is • Most did not automatically consider themselves to be part of the systems • Immediate environments ruled (people and places) • Dynamics often not considered • Photos caused some anxiety • From Reflections: • Photo + reflection made them think more deeply about: • Interconnections, complexity, decomposition, boundaries, emergence • Their own role • The “real systems in one’s life” • Not easy to capture the concept of system in a photo • Start to see how “things” interact with and impact upon people • More aware of systems now • Interesting way to introduce systems, active engagement with the term

  13. Participant reflections on process “I think this was a very useful and interesting exercise...I think it is great to stop for a moment in your life and evaluate it from different perspectives. This made me to see myself from many angles…”

  14. Participant reflections on process “Somehow, putting them on a piece of paper facilitates the observation of behavior and identification of improvement opportunities….could I copy this pattern in this particular system to others?”

  15. Participant reflections on process “When I now see some systems-like structures or mechanisms, I’m more likely to identify them that way than what I was couple of months ago.”

  16. Conclusions • Systems: • Awareness of systems is generally low • People still see systems – just don’t know it • Use of systems concepts under-developed • Systems education is possible • Photo elicitation as method: • Makes the familiar unfamiliar • Photo expands their thinking • Brings subjectivity to the systems world • Interviews would be useful • Great potential for raising systemic perception and awareness of SI through photos

  17. References • Colbert, C. Y., Ogden, P. E., Ownby, A. R., and Bowe, C. (2011. Systems-based practice in graduate medical education: Systems thinking as the missing foundational construct, teaching and learning. Medicine: An International Journal, 23(2), 179-185. • Dawidowicz, P. (2012). The person on the street's understanding of systems thinking. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 29(1), 2-13. • Goekler, J. (2003). Teaching for the future: Systems thinking and sustainability. Green Teacher, 70, 8-14. • Hämäläinen, R. P, & Saarinen, E. (2006). Systems intelligence: A key competence for organizational life. Reflections: The SoL Journal, 7(4),17–28. • Petersen, N. J., & Østergaard, S. (2004, August). Organisational photography as research method: What, how and why. Paper presented at the Research Methods Division, Academy of Management Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA. • Stowell, F. (2007). The knowledge age or the age of ignorance and the decline of freedom? Systemic Practice Action Research, 20, 413-427.

  18. Comments/Questions?

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