[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Promoting systems thinking through perspective taking when using an online modeling tool

## Details

**Authors** Jordan et al.

**Year** 2023

**Publisher** Frontiers in Education

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Education

**Secondary disciplines** Cognitive Science

**Reading level** technical

**Kind of engagement** scholarly

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1215436) 
10.3389/feduc.2023.1215436

## In authors' words

### Abstract

Introduction Disagreements between people on different sides of popular issues in STEM are often rooted in differences in “mental models,” which include both rational and emotional cognitive associations about the issue; especially given these issues are systemic in nature. Methods In the research described here, we employ the fuzzy cognitive mapping software MentalModeler (developed by one of the authors) 1 as a tool for articulating implicit and explicit assumptions about one’s knowledge of both the environmental and social science and values underpinning complex system related issues. More specifically, we test the assumption that this pedagogical approach will foster certain aspects of perspective taking that can be traced with cognitive development and systems thinking as students not only articulate their own understanding of an issue, but also articulate the view of others. Results and discussion Results are discussed with respect to systems thinking that is developed through this type of modeling.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

A Frontiers in Education study using the fuzzy cognitive mapping tool MentalModeler to test whether articulating one's own and others' mental models fosters perspective taking and systems thinking.

### What they found (results)

Reports that structured perspective-taking with an online cognitive mapping tool made learners' mental models visible and helped counter positionality-driven reasoning on contested socio-scientific issues.

## Commentary

### In short

Takes up Cabrera's claim that perspective-taking is a fundamental but underdeveloped component of systems thinking and builds a classroom modeling intervention to test it.

### Response

Takes Cabrera's claim that perspective-taking is a fundamental but underdeveloped component of systems thinking and builds a classroom intervention to test it, using a fuzzy cognitive mapping tool. Reports that structured perspective-taking made learners' mental models visible and countered positionality-driven reasoning on contested socio-scientific issues. An independent empirical study testing one of the four patterns as a teachable operation.

**Patterns it shows** P

**Added** 2026-08-16

**How to cite this** Jordan et al. (2023). Promoting systems thinking through perspective taking when using an online modeling tool. Frontiers in Education.