Activities to Address Binary or Simplistic Framing + Free Resource
Use these activities to help address and move beyond the binary or simplistic framing of a topic in a discussion
Dear collaborative discussion friends,
This week we are sharing two activities that can be used to move beyond the binary or simplistic framing of an issue in a discussion. The first activity will help a group develop flexible thinking and to appreciate the contradictions present in issues and people. The second activity will help participants in a discussion understand the complexity of an issue and the decision-making process. We are also including a free resource that can be used as a reminder of which activities can serve as responsive interventions to simplistic or binary thinking.
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Free resource with activities to help address binary or simplistic framing of an issue
When groups frame issues in a binary or simplistic way, this usually means that they are viewing the problem using black-and-white or all-or-nothing thinking. They also might only be seeing a few dimensions or sides of the issue and not considering all its different facets.
The following two activities can be used to intervene and help a group when they are stuck in a narrow way of thinking about a topic.
Activity 2.2 Embracing Contradictions
Activity 2.2 Embracing Contradictions. Contradictions can be helpful. They can help us to see complexity and develop flexibility of thought. Most issues (and people) contain contradictions. Instead of being stumped by contradictions, this activity encourages participants to lean into this discomfort and develop a “paradox mindset.”
Through repeated practice, participants can replace binary thinking and instead use this “paradox mindset” as their default way of thinking to see and embrace the complexities and contractions inherent in issues and people.
Activity 3.4 Developing Comfort with Ambiguity
Activity 3.4 Developing Comfort with Ambiguity. This activity is designed to encourage participants to grapple with “no win” situations. Through discussion, participants will explore seemingly simple moral dilemmas which will actually expose the complexity of decision-making.
This activity then helps participants move away from a simplistic view of the issue to see all the different factors involved. It also helps participants develop greater empathy for decision-makers.
Printable PDF of 2 activities to address binary or simplistic framing of an issue
Download and print out copies of this PDF to use as a reminder of which activities can act as responsive interventions to the problem of binary or simplistic thinking and share with fellow educators, facilitators, or team leaders.
Shareable image of 2 activities to address binary or simplistic framing of an issue
Share this image online with fellow educators, facilitators, or team leaders as a reminder of which activities can act as responsive interventions to the problem of binary or simplistic thinking.
Upcoming Events
5 Practices for Better College Discussions Workshop Series. Invite college students to register and attend these workshops for an introduction to the necessary skills for robust class conversations! The last workshop in this series will take place online from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm (eastern) on November 20. Share this link for them to register!
Looking forward to collaborating,
Ritu, Shannon, & the Collaborative Discussion Team