Prosocial (Prosocial: Using Evolutionary Science to Build Productive, Equitable and Collaborative Groups by Atkins, Wilson and Hayes) is a mix of ideas from evolutionary science, core design principles for governing a commons from Elinor Ostrom, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)(Training) based in contextual behavioral science.
Here in Concord, there are more than 60 agencies and departments that are working on or touch the issue of homelessness. All are working hard, doing good work…and not well aligned nor coordinated. Concord Coalition to End Homelessness is a great agency, but we cannot solve the problem on our own. It is truly a wicked problem (even if modest compared to some of the larger cities in the country). So the challenge is to help these agencies and departments evolve from an agency focus to a community-wide aim to achieve functional zero. Multi-level selection theory from evolutionary science gives some scientifically grounded ideas of how we might go about that, because human history is a series of evolutionary steps of small groups learning to work together in larger and larger groups to address their environmental challenges. Ostrom’s Nobel prize winning research on governing commons provides design principles that guide managing a common endeavor without government or corporate control. And ACT injects simple, yet powerful mindfulness techniques to build group psychological flexibility to loosen rigid beliefs and behaviors and strengthen the ability, over time, to act ever more aligned with chosen values. (See also Prosocial.World.)
NH Collective Health Impact 