Part 2 of 4 columns on Dynamic Systems Theory. Like biological systems, psychological systems also arise from the coupling of many cyclic (oscillating) processes. For instance, over our lifespan, our bodies change and go through several attractor states. Healthy lifestyle is important, but should not …

The article argues that a dynamic systems theory approach can be helpful in understanding intrapersonal psychological behaviour changes. In terms of control and coordination, different movement systems - walk, trot, canter - are incomparable. This is also the case with psychological phase transitions. …

The final of a four-part series that explores Dynamic Systems Theory (DST). DST has taught us that phase transitions are based on self-organization and that they are not predictable a priori. They can be described, but not explained. This is well established in physics, but not at all in the social sciences …

In Eastern Africa, increasing climate variability and changing socioeconomic conditions are exacerbating the frequency and intensity of drought disasters. Droughts pose a severe threat to food security in this region, which is characterized by a large dependency on smallholder rain-fed agriculture and …

In order to study education and development, researchers can choose among a plethora of methods. The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells us that “method” means: a procedure or process for attaining an object …such as …a systematic procedure, technique, or mode of inquiry employed by or proper to a particular …

Recently several attempts were undertaken to unite the field of metaphor studies, trying to reconcile the conceptual/cognition and linguistic/discourse approaches to metaphor (Hampe, 2017b). The dynamic view of metaphor espoused by amongst others Gibbs (2017a) as a way to unify the field of metaphor …

In order for out-of-school science activities that take place during school hours but outside the school context to be successful, instructors must have sufficient pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) to guarantee high-quality teaching and learning. We argue that PCK is a quality of the instructor-pupil …

Training systems with intelligent virtual agents provide an effective means to train people for complex, dynamic tasks like crisis management or firefighting. Virtual agents provide more adequate behavior and explanations if they not only take their own goals and beliefs into account, but also the assumed …