Losada Zone

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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. Complex dynamics occur at or above the Losada line and below it we find more simple dynamics such as limit cycles and 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 (2005) found that the Losada line separates people who "flourish" from those who "languish."

Within the Losada Zone, the dynamics in phase space correspond to a complexor (complex order). 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 rate increases. This reveals that an excess of positivity leads to a loss of behavioral flexibility. High performance teams have complexor dynamics, while medium and low performance teams have limiting dynamics such as limit cycles and point attractors (Losada, 1999).

[edit] References

Losada, M. (1999). The complex dynamics of high performance teams. Mathematical and Computer Modelling, 30 (9-10), 179-192. [1]

Losada, M. & Heaphy, E. (2004). The role of positivity and connectivity in the performance of business teams: A nonlinear dynamics model. American Behavioral Scientist, 47 (6), 740-765. [2]