Mechanisms for Understanding Mental Model Change in Group Model Building

Abstract

Mental model change and mental model alignment are reported outcomes of group model building. Several explanations have been proposed for these changes. This paper explores the experiences of participants in group model building workshops where delayed evaluations suggested that lasting mental model change has occurred. Semi‐structured interviews were used to explore how participants believed that the workshops changed their thinking. The results are compared with proposed mechanisms for mental model change: operator logic, system archetypes, modelling as persuasion, and boundary objects. Although individuals typically possess incomplete insight into their own learning, understanding participants' recollections helps practitioners to better communicate with clients and potential clients. Interview results support the boundary object mechanism as most consistent with participants' own recollections. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.