Resolving competing ideologies in partnership working

1
Resolving competing ideologies in partnership
working

• Using cultural theory to explain differences and
  help people work together more effectively
• Dr Harry Rutter
• Oxfordshire Health Authority
• www.modalshift.org

2
What is cultural theory?

• A method for describing different approaches to
  life
• Four main and one subsidiary archetypes
• Over-simplifies the different perspectives may
  co-exist
• Nevertheless, a helpful tool for understanding
  other peoples perspectives

3
Typologies

• Individualist
• Hierarchist
• Egalitarian
• Fatalist
• (Hermit)

4
Individualists

• Enterprising, self-made
• Free from control by others
• Exert control over their environment and people
  in it
• Measure success by wealth and followers
• See nature as stable, robust and benign
• Support technical solutions

5
Hierarchists

• World with strong group boundaries and binding
  prescriptions
• Hierarchical social relationships
• Everyone has his/her place
• Believe nature will be good to them if properly
  managed
• Support legislative solutions

6
Egalitarians

• Strong group loyalties
• Little respect for externally imposed rules other
  than those imposed by nature
• Democratic group decisions
• Leaders rule by personality and persuasion
• See nature as fragile and precarious
• Support precautionary principle

7
Fatalists

• Minimal control over their own lives
• Disenfranchised from groups responsible for
  organising their lives
• Resigned to their fate
• See nature as capricious and unpredictable
• See no point in trying to changing things

8
Hermits

• Later addition to the typologies
• Intellectual independence
• Lofty detachment
• Insight into other perspectives
• Eg academic observer

9
Transport caricatures

• Egalitarians wear masks while cycling
• Individualists drive big cars
• Hierarchists legislate to balance opposing views
• Fatalist waits for a bus
• Hermit looks down on all of them

10
Arguing from different premises

• Understanding different approaches helps those
  with opposing views to empathise
• If we can see why we dont share one anothers
  concerns we can try to find common ground
• If we are all searching for different types of
  solution we are much less likely to agree

11
Ideas into action

• Categorise yourself in context of different
  situations home, work, leisure etc
• Dont just sit there categorise people!
• If youre getting nowhere categorise your
  opponent and try to see his/her point of view
• Remain sceptical and flexible this is just one
  tool and it wont always work

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References and further reading

• Adams J. Risk London, UCL Press, 1995
• Dake K. Orienting dispositions in the perception
  of risk an analysis of contemporary worldviews
  and cultural biases. Journal of cross-cultural
  psychology 19912261-82
• Douglas M, Wildavsky A. Risk and culture an
  essay on the selection of technological and
  environmental dangers. Berkeley, Univ California
  Press, 1983
• Holling C. Myths of ecological stability. In
  Studies in crisis management. Smart G, Stanbury W
  (eds) Montreal, Butterworth, 1979
• Schwarz M, Thompson M. Divided we stand
  redefining politics, technology and social
  choice. Hemel Hempstead, Harvester Wheatsheaf,
  1990
• Thompson M. The aesthetics of risk culture or
  conflict. In Societal risk assessment how safe
  is safe enough? Schewing R, Albers W (eds). New
  York, Plenum, 1980
• Thompson M, Ellis R, Wildavsky A. Cultural
  theory. Boulder Colorado, Westview, 1990