Paradigm Paralysis
As you probably know, a paradigm is a model or a pattern. It's a shared set of assumptions that have to do with how we perceive the world. Paradigms are very helpful because they allow us to develop expectations about what will probably occur based on these assumptions. But when data falls outside our paradigm, we find it hard to see and accept. This is called the Paradigm Effect. And when the paradigm effect is so strong that we are prevented from actually seeing what is under our very noses, we are said to be suffering from paradigm paralysis.
Yesterday, we had our company team building workshop and one of the exercises given is how we can balance 13 pieces of nails all together in a wooden board with only one nail standing. That's where I think many of us have been stuck when it comes to figuring out how the heck we were able to do that. We rigidly follow a cognitive approach. Or a behavioral approach. Or a psychotherapeutic approach. And our paradigm paralysis causes us to exclude valuable information that doesn't fit our particular model. For me, the most appropriate approach is observing with an open mind.
