6 months of research have led to a list of mentalities

Niniane Veldhoen and Matthijs Rotte have finished their research on mentalities. That is, they have delivered their paper before the deadline (Friday, 13 June 2008, 17.00). In believe that 6 months of research have led to a list of mentalities which is a very useful tool for further research. Niniane and Matthijs are among the first to graduate in the readership.

Nininane and Matthijs’s theme is ‘A matter of mentality’ and I am proud to say that the two have done a remarkable job. All that is left for them at this moment is undergo their ‘defense session’, as we call it at the faculty. On July 4^th, they will have to defend their writings. An ‘assessor’ will ask them difficult questions after they have presented their case.

I have agreed with Niniane and Matthijs that I will not publish the list – and include an analysis and give some remarks – until they have done their defense (it could influence the assessor as my judgment over the work high that I am very happy).

One thing I can publish here is Nininane and Matthijs’s improvement of the IMAB model. There has been discussion about it with Harry van Vliet questioning whether the current model is depicting a linear system. The outcome of this discussion is that the parts of the system are valid but most certainly not linear; The individual parts – Identity, Mentality, Attitude and Behavior influence each other.

I wish Niniane and Matthijs good luck on the 4^th of July and hope to do a lot more work with them.

Mentality research a gogo #1

Today I met with my students who deal with tackling mentality issues. The core question was what mentality is. Good question. My IMAB model has been food for thoughts. But surely, it is only version 0.1. The Doves have added content to the model (Matthijs please post your addition to the model. If you cannot post it as a comment then mail me your stuff so I can put it on-line), the Jumpers are looking for ways to continue their research. Before moving back to the comprehensible and, as Harry van Vliet would say: ‘making it small’, we have decided to do a brown paper session, a brain storm on words on what mentality is. Then, we’ll test it with reference groups. Finally we will use the outcomes in our workshop half April during the Crossing Cultures event in Utrecht. The result of this is – hoping – ontology of ‘mentality’ that we can use to conduct straight forward research on this issue.