The Model Thinking class from Coursera has a relevant video on the difference between proverbs and models. Models make their assumptions explicit; so, e.g. you know when to use Fisher’s replicator model (diversity is good) and when to use the Six Sigma model (diversity is bad). Proverbs, like “a stitch in time saves nine” vs. “haste makes waste,” have implicit assumptions; which means they’re generally only useful after you’ve used the wrong one for a particular situation.
My reading of Cialdini showed some attention paid to assumptions, but not much. He seems more on the proverb side than the model side.
The Model Thinking class from Coursera has a relevant video on the difference between proverbs and models. Models make their assumptions explicit; so, e.g. you know when to use Fisher’s replicator model (diversity is good) and when to use the Six Sigma model (diversity is bad). Proverbs, like “a stitch in time saves nine” vs. “haste makes waste,” have implicit assumptions; which means they’re generally only useful after you’ve used the wrong one for a particular situation.
My reading of Cialdini showed some attention paid to assumptions, but not much. He seems more on the proverb side than the model side.