THE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF RISK & SEMIOTICS

Transcription

1 THE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF RISK & SEMIOTICS WORKSHOP: 4,5,6 APRIL 2018 CANBERRA

2 Introduction The study of semiotics is foundational to the Social Psychology of Risk. Semiotics is the study of signs, symbols, signifiers, what is signified and significance. A sign is anything that can stand for something else. Semiotics works in the individual and collective unconscious and makes up the consensually validated grammar (code) of language and discourse in organisations. Language is not complete in any one speaker but rather exists only in collectivity, in the i-thou of meeting. Our sign systems play a major part in how we construct social reality and our reality cannot be separated from the sign-systems in which they are experienced. Semiotics should not be confused with only the study of semantics and language, although words do matter. Semiotics understands that messaging and all communication are intertwined (coded) with the values, attitudes and beliefs in organizing. Semiotics seeks to understand the many ways people come to belief and meaning through unconscious codes and rules embedded in many communicating devices. Semiotics is interested in how meaning and purpose is absorbed covertly, constructed and unconsciously experienced rather than what is contained in overt communications policy. Key Questions 1. What do risk tools such as matrices (and other symbols) really communicate? 2. How are reductionist beliefs transferred through investigation models? 3. How does a pyramidic or hierarchy of controls semiotic influence the assumptions of safety culture? 4. Why is the concept of emergence, the unconscious or wicked problems so foreign to risk and safety? 5. What do various models (and symbols) in risk and safety communicate about human agency? 6. Does our organizational communications strategy frame and prime the right message? 7. What are the by-products and trade-offs in ineffective and poorly considered semiotics? 8. How do semiotics communicate and set the collective unconscious? 9. How does spin, propaganda and mis-information work? 10. Does our method, model and language in risk and safety hold together and communicate with consistency at all levels of cognition? These are just some of the questions that are tackled in the program. Figure 1. The Human Dymensions Semiotics Pyramid 2 7

3 Presenters/Facilitators The Program will be delivered by Dr Long, Craig Ashhurst and Gabrielle Carlton. Dr Robert Long Executive Director Human Dymensions Rob is an accomplished author, presenter and educator. He is the founder of the discipline of The Social Psychology of Risk and is applies this Body of Knowledge to the risk, safety and security industries. Rob s work and pioneering perspective is highly sought after by organisations that seek to do more than just maintain compliance with systems. The work of Dr Long and Human Dymensions is delivered globally with a new office opened in Linz Austria in Rob has worked in building and construction, transport and logistics, risk and safety, education and training, community services, public service and corrections sectors. He has published five highly successful books on the social psychology of risk and publishes extensively on the Internet. Rob lives in Canberra and enjoys his spare time with grandchildren. Craig Ashhurst Director Niche Thinking Craig has been the Director of Niche Thinking since 1995 and has extensive experience working in large organisations in the private and public sectors. Craig started in the electronics industry and has worked in TV as a journalist, University special projects, strategic Commonwealth Government projects, mining, manufacturing and construction. Niche Thinking provides consultancy work with a focus on innovation, strategic thinking, facilitation, design and translation between different disciplines. Craig is completing his PhD at ANU in Wicked Problems. Gabrielle Carlton Director Resilyence Gabrielle is the Director of Resilyence Pty Ltd and specialises in the social psychology of organizational holistic ergonomics. She has extensive experience across mining, construction, energy generation and distribution, government, rail and local councils. She has designed her own unique survey methodology Culture and Organisational Modelling in Risk (COMIR). COMIR is a diagnostic that helps organisations better manage risk holistically. Gabrielle holds a number of qualifications in Psychology, Social Psychology of Risk (Post Grad Diploma), Risk Management, NPL and Training. Program Outcomes Program outcomes are: 1. Understanding how semiotics communicate to the unconscious. 2. How signs, symbols, text as symbol and cartographic work. 3. Making and communicating things of significance. 4. Who is a signifier? What is signified? How is language and signs a code? 5. Understanding pitching, framing, priming and anchoring messages. 6. Navigating the semiosphere. 7. Developing a sophisticated communications strategy for developing risk maturity and risk intelligence. 8. Developing semiosis and purpose in verbal, oral and written communications. 9. Understanding culture as the collective unconscious. 10. Understanding how archetypes influence outcomes. The program is introductory and suitable for anyone seeking to improve communication and maturity in risk intelligence in their organization. Who should attend This program is for anyone interested in messaging, communications and risk. It is not limited to people in the risk, safety and security industries but to anyone in leadership interested in how beliefs, values and meaning are constructed and sustained. 3 7

4 Program Outline Day 1 Semiosis Session Topic Outcome/Activities 1 Mapping the Social Psychology of Body of Knowledge Risk Mapping SPoR. What is semiotics? Key readings and links. History, schools of thought Formalism, structuralism, functionalism 2 Ontology and the creation of The Semiotic Pyramid meaning (abduction, induction, deduction) Sign systems and the generating meaning (Semiosis - Pierce) Meaning made in the collective (i-thou - Buber) Session Topic Outcome/Activities 7 Information and exformation ithink Clock work. Spin and propaganda Learning how to Critical thinking and deconstruction deconstruct (dialectic & mindfulness) 8 Gestures and iconography How seeing and listening Multi-media (Postman) may not be believing 3 Symbols, codes and language Experiential learning activity Mastermind 4 Signs Signified Signifyer Significance Signs systems 5 Semiology (working with text - Saussure) 6 Code book or cookbook Consensually validated grammar as organising Understanding key principles of semiotics Understanding words as symbols Understanding key principles of semiotics 4 7

5 Day 2 Semiotics and The Unconscious Session Focus/Activity Outcome 1 The Semantic Environment (Postman) Case studies of models and symbols Dumb Ways to Die Hazardman Zero Harm Don t be a Dirk campaign Sexy Sophie How cultural environments are semiotically constructed. Naïve intent, hidden and powerful contradictions. 2 Case studies continued Participant examples. 3 Deconstructing common the risk and safety discourse Understanding what people and organisations really say. 4 Dialogue Framing, Priming, Anchoring Exchange and influence through messaging. 5 Symbols. This means that. Exercising symbolic power. 6 Metaphors as code and cultural meaning Discourse Understanding metaphor in presentation and policy. 7 Collective coherence Disciplines Worldviews Differentiations 8 Case Study - Experiential Walk on Discourse on Power How belief works. Sunk cost, cognitive dissonance and conversion. How to bridge semiotic divides. Visual and Spacial Literacy Tool use. 5 7

6 Day 3 Semiotics and The Unconscious Session Focus/Activity Outcome Session Focus/Activity Outcome 1 Understanding The Tacit (Polanyi) Understanding the tacit dimension 6 The amplification and attenuation of messages Where is this talking us? Knowing more than we How propaganda works can tell 2 The Collective Unconscious (Jung) 3 Communicating to the unconscious Archetypes Doing without thinking or knowing Principles, powers and forces at work Things that have a life of their own if left untouched 7 What is the semiosphere of risk and safety? What is the semantic environment of risk and safety? Practical tools for a new semiotic of risk and safety Common approaches. A new way of understanding messaging. What do you really want to say? Practical things to do. 8 Close 4 Semiospheres (Lotman) Art Architecture Dance Drama Music Non-rational messages, dreaming 5 Power Transference Propaganda and spin Ways of influence in semiotic space The amplification and attenuation of messages How propaganda works Participants receive a manual, set of tools and copy of the latest book. 6 7

7 Dr. ROBERT LONG The Centre for Leadership and Learning in Risk CRAIG ASHHURST DIRECTOR OF STUDIES CERTIFICATE COMPLETION OF THREE DAY PROGRAM Participants will be provided with a copy of the latest book Risky Conversations All participants will receive a Certificate from the Centre for Leadership and Learning in Risk for the workshop. PRESENTED TO IN RECOGNITION OF REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED BY THE CENTRE IN COMPLETION OF AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF RISK UNIT ONE PRINCIPAL Cost & Bookings Cost: $