ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by directly addressing the questions, "what are models?" and "why model conflict?" It discusses "mental modeling", as well as techniques for formalizing models through mathematical approaches and simulations. The chapter examines the implications of modeling, including some of the potential drawbacks of using models. The concept of "mental modeling" was first introduced by psychologist Kenneth Craik, who proposed that people carry in their minds a small-scale model of how the world works. Making mental models explicit in some form, whether mathematical or not, start to shed the vagueness of purely "unconscious" or verbal modeling. Modeling provides a path to see through environmental problems and presents a platform for understanding and learning from complexity. The chapter argues that conflict modeling as a tool for understanding and exploring conflict resolution potentials, noting that explicit modeling, particularly rigorous mathematical modeling, increases transparency and provides a forum for participatory input, for better or for worse.
