Book chapter
Chapter 5 Broad mindedness and perceptual flexibility: Lessons from dynamic ecosystems
Advances in Psychology, pp.87-103
Elsevier Science & Technology
1998
DOI: 10.1016/S0166-4115(98)80019-8
Abstract
This chapter investigates the relationship between broadmindedness and perceptual flexibility. The mind is a natural system and shares important features with other natural systems. One such feature may be the influence of component diversity on system hardiness and adaptivity—that is, both minds and ecosystems may be more flexible, hardy, and adaptive to the extent that they have survived multiple perturbations and become more complex and heterogeneous. The chapter outlines some fundamental concepts of dynamic systems theory. It discusses some salient features of ecosystems and conceptualizes the human mind as a complex, adaptive ecosystem. Research on natural ecosystems indicates that biological systems are drawn into attractor states somewhere near the edge of order and chaos. Systems in deep attractor states enjoy a high degree of fitness with respect to the environment in which they have evolved, but their rigidity places them at risk of stagnation and extinction in the event of significant environmental change. Contemporary human minds may be at risk (1) of drifting too far from the edge of order and chaos, (2) of becoming overspecialized and narrow minded, and (3) of ultimately suffering serious costs of expertise.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Chapter 5 Broad mindedness and perceptual flexibility: Lessons from dynamic ecosystems
- Creators
- William A Johnston - Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, U.S.ADavid L StrayerShaun P Vecera
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Advances in Psychology, pp.87-103
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science & Technology
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0166-4115(98)80019-8
- ISSN
- 0166-4115
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 1998
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984066145602771
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