What is a Model? LO5615

Virginia I. Shafer (vshafer@AZStarNet.com)
Tue, 13 Feb 1996 00:39:46 -0700

Replying to LO5469 -- John Warfield wrote:
>Virginia said, in describing Mental Models,
>>Mental Models--I like to describe them as personal paradigms as long as
>>you're not burned out on the word and recognize it as more than meaning
>>"model."
>
>Here is a question: what is a model? And how can it be that you can have
>a conception that is not a model?

I don't equate "notions, ideas, or concepts" as "standards or examples for
imitation or comparison." A model is literally a miniature representation
of the real thing, a "typical form or style to be copied," a prototype, an
archetype, _inter alia_. Whereas a paradigm, as enhanced in meaning by
Joel Barker, _et al_, serves as a perceptual template
for--aha!!--comparing what is known to what is not known, a basis for
establishing comparison!!

Well asked, Dr. John. Thank you.

Ginger Shafer
The Leadership Dimension
"Bringing Leadership to Life"
vshafer@azstarnet.com

--
vshafer@AZStarNet.com (Virginia I. Shafer)
 


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