Making Distinctions
Distinctions are not things but negotiated boundaries between ideas/things; a boundary between the identity and other that occurs fractally (across sc…
The Cabrera Lab Blog
Lab Notes
Part of our research mission is making the science of systems thinking available to everyone. The blog and the Cabrera Lab Podcast are where we share it. Views here are our own, not those of our partners or of Cornell University.
All postsDSRP 21Distinction (D) Identity-Other 8Systems (S) Part-Whole 2Relationships (R) Action-Reaction 5Perspectives (P) Point-View 1DSRP Dynamics 2Systems Thinking 21Mental Models 10VMCL 22Culture 1CAS 5Cognitive Jigs 10Sliders 7Systems Mapping 1Everyday DSRP 3Getting Started 2Learning Systems Thinking 1Education 2Types of Thinking 1News 3
Emergence: One of the Sacred Cows of Systems Thinking
The discussion of emergence is always one that gets tempers roiled in the systems thinking community. Indeed, it is one of a few of what I call "sacre…
Patato, Potato, Let's Not Call It Off...
I was recently asked the following: "Derek, when I first came across DSRP, I was a little 'turned off' by S being called 'Systems' . For some people s…
19 Specific Things Systems Thinkers Do
In our research with K-12, undergraduate, graduate students, and the general public over the last decade, a number of patterns emerge that show us the…
Better Writing by Applying Simple Rules (DSRP)
image credit[1] This blog considers ways in which DSRP can improve our writing. DSRP is an acronym representing four simple rules the Cabreras posit a…
Derek Cabrera Keynotes Adult Learning Conference
Dr. Derek Cabrera gave a keynote address entitled "A Systems View on Adult Learning" at the CAEL International Conference on November 18, 2015, to 600…
The Dark Side of Categorical Thinking
Categorical thinking is ubiquitous, but there are more elemental structures hidden underneath. Knowing these structures will decrease lock-in and bias…
Systems Thinking and Becoming a Better Person
Image credit[1] This blog is about how practicing four simple rules can make us better people.[1:1] Derek Cabrera has identified four simple rules or …
Teaching Systems Thinking in Public Schools
It’s about making the school system reflect learning and engagement instead of control and test scores. It’s trying to make the system better for the …
DSRP, Validity, and Knowing the Truth
A frequent question we receive about DSRP is "Once I make distinctions, and recognize systems, relationships, and perspectives in my thinking process,…
Exciting Systems Thinking Collaboration Between ThinkWater and Arizona Project WET
I recently attended an Arizona Project WET teacher training where they are integrating systems thinking into their program and curriculum. Arizona Pro…
The DNA of Memes: The Underlying Structure of Ideas
The internet is full of memes. Here's one that's an entertaining idea embedded in a pop-culture image. Meme: "an idea, behavior, or style that spreads…