Using system dynamics to model "soft" variables.

[Stephen Robbins]

Hi,

I just finished taking the introductory system dynamics class at MIT.
One of the topics we discussed was modeling "soft" variables: things
like love, motivation, etc. Jay Forrester mentioned building a model
of DEC back in the early 70s which reflected Ken Olsons personality,
etc.

While we discussed these in class, we didnt actually DO any of it.
Nor did we see any models (except one, briefly, the last day) that
really gave any good idea how to model these things in a meaningful
way.

Does anyone have any references, or pointers to where I could
see/touch/hear about this aspect of system dynamics modeling? "Soft"
variable modeling seems to be one of the distinguishing
characteristics of this brand of model building.

Thanks,

Stever

---------------------------------------------------------------
Stever Robbins stever@mit.edu stever@verstek.com
Accept no substitutes! PGP key available upon request
"Youre only young once, but you can be immature forever."

["King, Jonathan"]

For beginners, you might follow up on Bart Koskos Fuzzy Adaptive Maps in
his FIZZUY THINKING (1993).
----------
->From: system-dynamics-approval
->To: system-dynamics
->Subject: Using system dynamics to model "soft" variables.
->Date: Sunday, December 18, 1994 03:26AM
->
->Hi,
->
->I just finished taking the introductory system dynamics class at MIT.
->One of the topics we discussed was modeling "soft" variables: things
->like love, motivation, etc. Jay Forrester mentioned building a model
->of DEC back in the early 70s which reflected Ken Olsons personality,
->etc.
->
->While we discussed these in class, we didnt actually DO any of it.
->Nor did we see any models (except one, briefly, the last day) that
->really gave any good idea how to model these things in a meaningful
->way.
->
->Does anyone have any references, or pointers to where I could
->see/touch/hear about this aspect of system dynamics modeling? "Soft"
->variable modeling seems to be one of the distinguishing
->characteristics of this brand of model building.
->
->Thanks,
->
->Stever
->
->---------------------------------------------------------------
->Stever Robbins stever@mit.edu stever@verstek.com
-> Accept no substitutes! PGP key available upon request
-> "Youre only young once, but you can be immature forever."
->

[PeterVS1@aol.com]

In response to Stever Robbins inquiry on "soft" variables:

My comments:

I did a model in STELLA that used soft variables. The key variables are
resistance to change, mental map changes, pain, and dissonance. (Can get
much softer than that.)

Im heading out of town for a couple of weeks over the holidays, but when I
get back, Id be happy to discuss this further with you.

Also, if you e-mail me your address, I can sent you an article I did on the
model.

Peter von Stackelberg
Applied Futures, Inc.