Levels in Abstract Models
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2000 10:39 am
I am looking for guidance and/or references for identifying levels, rates
and auxiliaries in models that deal with largely abstract concepts. This
could be mental models or changes in organizational culture or norms.
In particular, I am exploring the dynamics of population based health (not
health care). I recently finished rereading Urban Dynamics. As I look at
health, and thinking of Enterprise, Housing and People as a conceptual
example for a health model, I find it difficult to make the connection
between the concrete/tangible levels used in Urban Dynamics (inclusive of
the New, Mature and Declining Enterprise levels and the Premium, Worker and
Underemployed Housing levels) and levels that are more abstract, such as
Health Status.
Apart from determining whether they are levels, flows or auxiliaries, Ive
identified these influences as the factors influencing health: Physical
Environment, PychoSocial Environment, Personal Habits (Lifestyle),
Intervention (Healthcare), Community Practices and Infrastructure (i.e.,
Public Health, e.g., immunizations and water treatment), and Age.
For example, if Physical Environment is a level, what constitutes the stuff
that is being integrated? Toxins, or the frequency of climatic or
geological disasters? One of those variables can be influenced by policy
and one cannot; both impact health. Does this suggest two separate levels
that are treated differently? Should there be a higher order such as Health
Debilitating, Health Sustaining and Health Improving with flows between them?
Regards Personal Habits, what is accumulating? for example, is it the net
between the frequency and quantity of fatty foods and the frequency and
quantity of exercise?
Ive read through Forresters chapter on Policies, Decisions and
Information Sources in Morecroft and Stermans "Modeling for Learning
Organizations". That was helpful in one regard and puzzling (respect to
population based health) in another regard.
Suggestions and/or references and citations would be appreciated, or
perhaps a model that is largely abstract that I could study.
Many thanks,
Bill Braun
From: Bill Braun <medprac@hlthsys.com>
and auxiliaries in models that deal with largely abstract concepts. This
could be mental models or changes in organizational culture or norms.
In particular, I am exploring the dynamics of population based health (not
health care). I recently finished rereading Urban Dynamics. As I look at
health, and thinking of Enterprise, Housing and People as a conceptual
example for a health model, I find it difficult to make the connection
between the concrete/tangible levels used in Urban Dynamics (inclusive of
the New, Mature and Declining Enterprise levels and the Premium, Worker and
Underemployed Housing levels) and levels that are more abstract, such as
Health Status.
Apart from determining whether they are levels, flows or auxiliaries, Ive
identified these influences as the factors influencing health: Physical
Environment, PychoSocial Environment, Personal Habits (Lifestyle),
Intervention (Healthcare), Community Practices and Infrastructure (i.e.,
Public Health, e.g., immunizations and water treatment), and Age.
For example, if Physical Environment is a level, what constitutes the stuff
that is being integrated? Toxins, or the frequency of climatic or
geological disasters? One of those variables can be influenced by policy
and one cannot; both impact health. Does this suggest two separate levels
that are treated differently? Should there be a higher order such as Health
Debilitating, Health Sustaining and Health Improving with flows between them?
Regards Personal Habits, what is accumulating? for example, is it the net
between the frequency and quantity of fatty foods and the frequency and
quantity of exercise?
Ive read through Forresters chapter on Policies, Decisions and
Information Sources in Morecroft and Stermans "Modeling for Learning
Organizations". That was helpful in one regard and puzzling (respect to
population based health) in another regard.
Suggestions and/or references and citations would be appreciated, or
perhaps a model that is largely abstract that I could study.
Many thanks,
Bill Braun
From: Bill Braun <medprac@hlthsys.com>