Frederick Steier

Frames, Framing, and Designed Conversational Processes: Lessons From the World Café

In this article, we use the anthropologist Gregory Bateson’s conceptualization of framing and his theory of interpersonal communication process to explore how relational realities develop in designed conversational processes. In recent years, there has been a blossoming of interest in large group methods as a way of achieving whole-system change. Many of these techniques seek to construct alternative spaces or dialogic “containers” in which the usual routines and authority structures are suspended; as such, they require that practitioners give particular attention to issues of framing. By analyzing examples drawn from two World Café events, we attempt to clarify theoretical principles underlying dialogic approaches to organizational change. We also consider the practical implications inherent in Bateson’s ideas, particularly the possibilities they offer for enhancing the facilitator’s awareness of the context in which he or she is a participating member.

Gregory Bateson gets a mobile phone

Concepts from Gregory Bateson are used to explore the ways that mobile media shape communication process in public and private spaces. His focus on patterns of relationship is used to offer insight into ways of understanding differences in behavior with mobile media as frame dilemmas.

World Café. Förderung der Teilhabekultur

Das „World Cafe“ ist „ein einfacher und doch leistungsfahiger Kommunikationsprozess, der Gruppen aller Grosen dabei hilft, sich in konstruktive Dialoge einzubringen, personliche Bindungen herzustellen und das gemeinschaftliche Lernen zu fordern“ (Tan und Brown, 2005). Es wird angewendet um gemeinsame Probleme zu bearbeiten und Ziele zu definieren. Daruber hinaus wurde es zur Forderung einer innovativen Zukunftsplanung benutzt. Ebenso sollte das soziale Kapital in einer Gemeinschaft oder Organisation deutlicher sichtbar werden. Es stellt jedoch auch einen Prozess dar, der die Revision der eigenen Vorurteile ermoglichen kann. Es ist insofern eine radikale Form der Partizipation, die den Teilnehmern die Moglichkeit bietet, sich intensiv auf ein Thema einzulassen, um an den wesentlichen Fragen teilzuhaben und sich eine Meinung zu ihrem Leben, ihrer Arbeit und ihrem lokalen Umfeld bilden zu konnen.

Review Essay: Waltzing Toward Dialogue

Linda Ellinor and Glenna Girard, DIALOGUE: REDISCOVER THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF CONVERSATION. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1998; pp. xlix + 366,

Ethics and Aesthetics of Observing Frames

29.95 hardcover, ISBN 0–471–17466–1. Harold H. Saunders, A PUBLIC PEACE PROCESS: SUSTAINED DIALOGUE TO TRANSFORM RACIAL AND ETHNIC CONFLICTS. New York: St. Martins Press, 1999; pp. xxiv + 328,

Taking Cybernetics Seriously at a Science Center: Reflection-in-Interaction and Second Order Organizational Learning

45.00 hardcover, ISBN 0–312–21939–3. Deborah Tannen, THE ARGUMENT CULTURE: MOVING FROM DEBATE TO DIALOGUE. New York: Random House, 1998; xiii + 348,

The World Café in Action Research Settings

25.00 hardcover, ISBN 0–67945602–3. Daniel Yankelovich, THE MAGIC OF DIALOGUE: TRANSFORMING CONFLICT INTO COOPERATION. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1999; pp. 236,

Exercising Frame Flexibility

24.00 hardcover, ISBN 0–684–85457–0.