Human minds behave like ecosystems fixed in a stable state

What is it about?

Ecosystem hysteresis occurs when ecosystems settle into stable states and resist change, even as environmental conditions vary. Similarly, people experience preference hysteresis, where beliefs become fixed, biasing our assessment of new information, further perpetuating those beliefs. Ecologists and modelers must better grasp preference hysteresis to understand stakeholder behavior, as well as address their own biases.

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Why is it important?

To improve ecosystem management and science communication, ecologists, ecosystem modelers, and other scientists must better understand nuances of human beliefs and opinions. This paper fosters that understanding by offering an analogy between ecosystem patterns and how our minds work.