A Photo Elicitation of Systemic Perception

Rachel Jones, Aalto University, HelsinkirachelcornerJones@gmail.com

Jim Corner, Waikato University, New Zealand

Introduction

Professor Raimo P. Hämäläinen

Professor Jim CornerProfessor Esa Saarinen

1. Systems Dynamics = external conceptualization of systems, modeling

2. Soft Systems Methodology = internal conceptualization of systems, problem-solving

3. Systems Intelligence = co-evolving with systems, living well

Perceiving systems important to all the approaches.

Existing Approaches to Systems

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

Motivation to explore photo elicitation (1)

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

Motivation to explore photo elicitation (2)

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.

Our study

1. What systems do people perceive? 2. What key aspects of systems are present (and

absent)?3. How does thinking about systems effect/affect

their understanding?4. What value, if any, does photo elicitation have

for engaging with systems?

Research questions

Photo elicitation as a method

Role of the ResearcherStatus of the Photos

Photos Taken By Researcher Photos Taken by Respondents

Photos as data(photo analysis)

Researcher takes the photos, analyses them, and concludes

Respondents take photos but researcher analyses them alone

Photos as elicitation(photo views)

Researcher takes the photos and discusses them with respondents during interview

Respondents take photos but discuss them with researcher during interview

Mix

(Petersen and Ostergaard, 2004)

Sample Photos

Findings – Theme, Type, Within Participants

Participants # of Themes Main Theme(s) Main System Type # Times Self in Photo

1 14 People Social 7

2 9 People Social 0 (9 photos)

3 12 Groups, computer Social 1

4 11 Work, sports Man-made 1

5 15 Self, sport, university

Man-made 4

6 10 City, nature Natural 0

7 (F) 12 None Both 3

8 14 Computer, city, home

Man-made 0

9 15 City Man-made 0

10 18 Groups Social 5

11 (F) 14 City, work Man-made 2

12 (F) 14 Self, people Social 6

13 16 Groups, work Both 4

14 18 City, university, sport

Man-made 1

15 19 People, groups, work

Social 11 (13 photos)

Findings – systems concepts discussed

Systems Concept % Initially % in reflection (count)

Purpose 99 100 (12)Type 99 100 (12)Interconnectivity 57 75 ( 9)Decomposition 46 42 ( 5)Boundary 40 42 ( 5)Processes 24Emergence 22 58 ( 7)Structure 18 17 ( 2)Complexity 15 58 ( 7)Sustainability 12 8 ( 1)Stasis 11Synergy 8 17 ( 2)Control 7Feedback 7 8 ( 1)Holism 1

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

Findings

“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…”

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?”

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.”

Participant reflections on process

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

Conclusions

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.

References

Comments/Questions?