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Objective To understand how we seek comprehension.
Apperception This view of human learning holds that all perception involves apperception, new ideas testing themselves against the store of old mental states. Without a background of experience any new 'data sensation' would be almost meaningless. In the human mind, ideas are cross-referenced way down into the sub-conscious. Storytelling For hundreds of thousands of years, storytelling was the only means of transmitting information. It still retains its attraction for most people; witness the pulling power of the television 'soaps'. Stories can be used very effectively to make facts and numbers come alive, impart a moral and suggest actions. Historically, storytelling nearly always generates communication. And dialogue has to precede collective actions. For example, environmentalists can revive the story of King Midas to remind us of the unforeseen consequences of our, often selfish actions. Then offer the following two exercises to highlight these issues.
EXERCISE ONE: Size is Important! (Apperception) Break group into groups of two persons each. Ask each to take a piece of information (either supplied, or something they feel strongly about) and use the 'Relativity Formula' to make it more understandable. Use the sample Relativity List as a starting point. (You will need to do some local work on this, as it should have a local relevance.) They should report back to the main group. Read the altered piece and discuss new insights.
EXERCISE TWO: What's the story? Break group into at least two reasonably large groups. This type of brainstorming requires a good mix of ideas and inputs. Ask participants to pick one of the supplied ideas and develop a short story line. And report back to the main group.
The latter is more difficult for groups unfamiliar with each other. If you feel that it could cause problems, let both groups work on the apperception approach.
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