Mike,

If we do not do comparisons, each thing is approached as unique, and we
could not survive in society.  To survive in life we all have mental
models; hundreds of them, maybe thousands.  Mental models are how we
survive without having to address everything as a unique experience.  We
have mental models of what things should look like, how people should
act, what lawful behavior is, what kindness is, what is good taste in
clothes, etc.   Our mental models are our picture of truth about that
thing.  Every prejudice we have is founded in a mental model about some
group of people, letting us treat them in a collective sense rather than
as the individuals they are.  All (Jews, Catholics, Polish people, black
people, short people, fat people, etc., etc.) are ...   Therefore, when
we encounter anything about which we have a mental model, the model
governs how we deal with, respond to, and what we remember about, that
person or event.  That is one of the reasons eye-witness testimony is so
unreliable.  We see what we believe is truth, not always what actually
happened.  We have mental models about how traffic should move, and my
mental model for that almost killed me when I went to England and was
preparing to cross a street on foot.  The fundamental engine of mental
models is comparison.  Our mental models are our interior standard of
truth.  When something does not fit, we treat it as an aberration.  If
it happens enough, if our model fails enough, we begin to question our
model.  None of us wants to give up our model, our picture of truth, so
we make a lot of excuses about what happened to justify the validity of
our model.  That is why going through a religious conversion can be so
wrenching an experience.  We don't want to admit we were wrong, or this
new one is better.  But we live by comparing things we encounter to our
models.  Many of us do this without any sense of what is really
happening.  If you ask most people what their mental model of XYZ is,
they won't have a clue what you are talking about, yet they use their
models every day.

Jim Dobbins

Mike Metcalfe wrote:

>Colleagues - I am looking for some references to a theory of comparison - an
>explanation why we compare things as knowledge creation. For example, to
>measure the length of something is to compare it to a standard; to question
>people can be seen as comparing their experiences. I am aware of comparative
>theories in history, sociology, religion etc, and am more interested in a
>philosophical (clarifying concepts) or sociological explanation than a strong
>cognitive science one. Am I making sense - any ideas?
>
>Regards and thanks,
>
>Mike Metcalfe
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--
James H. Dobbins,Ph.D.,PMP
Management Consulting
Critical Success Factor Analysis
13653 Sillamon Road
Goldvein, VA 22720
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