Losada Zone
Encyclopedia
The Losada Zone refers to a range of positivity/negativity ratio
in human interaction defined by a lower limit of 2.9013 (known as the Losada Line
) and an upper limit of 11.6345. These limits define the boundary conditions for complex dynamics in human interaction. Complex dynamics occur at or above the Losada Line and below it we find more simple dynamics such as fixed-point attractors. Waugh and Fredrickson (2006) found that the Losada Line separates people who are able to reach a complex understanding of others from those who do not. Barbara Fredrickson
and Marcial Losada
found that the Losada Line separates people who "flourish" from those who "languish" (Fredrickson & Losada, 2005; Fredrickson, 2009).
Within the Losada Zone, the dynamics in phase space correspond to a complexor
(complex order). The Losada Zone defines the boundary conditions for the existence of complex order in an interacting human system. A complexor is mathematically equivalent to a chaotic attractor (Losada & Heaphy, 2004). This type of dynamics is characteristic of behavioral flexibility, innovation, and creativity. Below the Losada Zone, the dynamics in phase space eventually settle into a point attractor which limits the types of action that are possible. Above the Losada Zone; i.e., P/N > 11.6345, the dynamics in phase space settle into limit cycles of decreasing complexity, as the P/N ratio increases. This reveals that an excess of positivity leads to a loss of behavioral flexibility (Fredrickson & Losada, 2005; Fredrickson, 2009). High performance teams have complexor dynamics, while medium and low performance teams have limiting dynamics such as limit cycles and fixed-point attractors (Losada, 1999).
Positivity/negativity ratio
Positivity and negativity are powerful feedback processes in human behavior. Positive feedback encourages us to continue doing what we have done so far. Negative feedback, on the contrary, generally acts as a warning signal that tells us to moderate or stop what we are doing and to redress the...
in human interaction defined by a lower limit of 2.9013 (known as the Losada Line
Losada line
The Losada Line, also known as the "Losada ratio," was found by psychologist Marcial Losada while researching the differences in positivity/negativity between high and low performance teams . The Losada Line has a positivity/negativity ratio of 2.9013 and it represents the lower bound of the Losada...
) and an upper limit of 11.6345. These limits define the boundary conditions for complex dynamics in human interaction. Complex dynamics occur at or above the Losada Line and below it we find more simple dynamics such as fixed-point attractors. Waugh and Fredrickson (2006) found that the Losada Line separates people who are able to reach a complex understanding of others from those who do not. Barbara Fredrickson
Barbara Fredrickson
Barbara L. Fredrickson is a professor in the department of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology....
and Marcial Losada
Marcial Losada
Marcial Losada is the founder and executive director of Meta Learning, a consulting organization that develops high performance teams. As director of the Center for Advanced Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he developed a novel approach to study working teams...
found that the Losada Line separates people who "flourish" from those who "languish" (Fredrickson & Losada, 2005; Fredrickson, 2009).
Within the Losada Zone, the dynamics in phase space correspond to a complexor
Complexor
In chaos theory a complexor is mathematically equivalent to a chaotic attractor. The word was coined by Marcial Losada , derived from the words "complex order"....
(complex order). The Losada Zone defines the boundary conditions for the existence of complex order in an interacting human system. A complexor is mathematically equivalent to a chaotic attractor (Losada & Heaphy, 2004). This type of dynamics is characteristic of behavioral flexibility, innovation, and creativity. Below the Losada Zone, the dynamics in phase space eventually settle into a point attractor which limits the types of action that are possible. Above the Losada Zone; i.e., P/N > 11.6345, the dynamics in phase space settle into limit cycles of decreasing complexity, as the P/N ratio increases. This reveals that an excess of positivity leads to a loss of behavioral flexibility (Fredrickson & Losada, 2005; Fredrickson, 2009). High performance teams have complexor dynamics, while medium and low performance teams have limiting dynamics such as limit cycles and fixed-point attractors (Losada, 1999).
External links
- http://blog.enablersnetwork.com/2009/11/01/marcial-losada-explains-his-research-for-our-blog-readers/
- http://PositivePsychologyNews.com/news/guest-author/200812081289
- http://PositivePsychologyNews.com/news/guest-author/200812091298
- http://PositivePsychologyNews.com/news/doug-turner/20070215106
- http://losada.socialpsychology.org