From Scarcity to Abundance: Rewiring Mental Maps for Systemic Transformation

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A Multidisciplinary Exploration of Societal Mindset Shifts for Sustainable Progress

Prepared by: Gerald A. Daquila, PhD. Candidate | Read Time: 11 mins.

ABSTRACT

The transition from a scarcity to an abundance mindset represents a profound shift in how individuals and societies perceive resources, opportunities, and possibilities. This dissertation explores the mental maps—cognitive frameworks and assumptions—that underpin scarcity thinking and proposes strategies for cultivating abundance-oriented mental models to achieve systemic gains in social, economic, and ecological domains.

Drawing on multidisciplinary research from psychology, sociology, neuroscience, systems thinking, and ecological economics, this work articulates the hidden assumptions driving scarcity mentalities and their societal implications. By mapping these assumptions and offering practical pathways for transformation, the study underscores the necessity of mindset shifts for fostering collaboration, resilience, and sustainable progress.

Written in an accessible yet rigorous style, this dissertation bridges academic inquiry with real-world application, engaging both the intellect and the heart to inspire collective action toward an abundant future.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Power of Mental Maps
Defining Scarcity and Abundance Mindsets
The Role of Mental Maps in Shaping Societal Behavior
Hidden Assumptions of Scarcity Thinking
Systemic Gains Through Abundance-Oriented Mental Maps
Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Mindset Transformation
Strategies for Rewiring Mental Maps
Case Studies: Societies in Transition
Challenges and Opportunities in Mindset Shifts
Conclusion: Toward a Collective Abundance Mindset
Glossary
References

Glyph of the Seer

Sees truly, speaks gently.

1. Introduction: The Power of Mental Maps

Imagine navigating a city with an outdated map. Streets have changed, buildings have risen, and your map leads you astray. Now, consider that our minds rely on mental maps—cognitive frameworks shaped by beliefs, experiences, and cultural narratives—to navigate the complexities of life. These maps guide how we perceive resources, opportunities, and our place in the world. When rooted in scarcity, they foster competition, fear, and short-term thinking. When oriented toward abundance, they inspire collaboration, creativity, and long-term vision.

As societies face global challenges like climate change, inequality, and resource depletion, the need to shift from scarcity to abundance mindsets has never been more urgent. This dissertation explores the mental maps that sustain scarcity thinking, the systemic gains possible through abundance-oriented frameworks, and the multidisciplinary strategies needed to catalyze this transformation.

By articulating hidden assumptions and weaving together insights from psychology, sociology, neuroscience, and systems thinking, this work offers a roadmap for societal progress that balances rigor with accessibility, logic with empathy, and analysis with inspiration.

2. Defining Scarcity and Abundance Mindsets

A scarcity mindset is a cognitive framework that fixates on lack—whether of money, time, or opportunities. It triggers tunnel vision, where individuals prioritize immediate needs over long-term goals, often leading to stress, poor decision-making, and competitive behaviors (Mullainathan & Shafir, 2013). In contrast, an abundance mindset perceives resources as sufficient for all, fostering optimism, collaboration, and creative problem-solving (Covey, 1989). These mindsets are not mere attitudes; they shape behaviors, institutions, and systems.

At the societal level, scarcity thinking manifests in policies that prioritize economic growth over ecological balance or social equity. Abundance thinking, however, underpins models like the circular economy, where resources are reused and shared to benefit all (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2013). Understanding these mindsets requires unpacking the mental maps that sustain them—cognitive structures that filter reality and guide action.

3. The Role of Mental Maps in Shaping Societal Behavior

Mental maps, or cognitive models, are simplified representations of reality that help us make sense of complex systems (Johnson-Laird, 1983). They include assumptions about causality, value, and possibility. For example, a scarcity mental map might assume that resources are finite, leading to hoarding or zero-sum thinking. An abundance mental map might assume that innovation and collaboration can expand resources, encouraging sharing and experimentation.

These maps operate at multiple levels: individual, community, and societal. At the individual level, they influence decision-making (Farb, 2024). At the community level, they shape norms and interactions (Subašić et al., 2012). At the societal level, they underpin institutions and policies (Valente, 2010). Mapping these frameworks is critical because unexamined assumptions can perpetuate dysfunctional systems, while intentional shifts can unlock systemic gains.

4. Hidden Assumptions of Scarcity Thinking

Scarcity mental maps are often rooted in implicit assumptions that go unchallenged. Articulating these is essential for transformation. Key assumptions include:

Finite Resources: The belief that resources like wealth, energy, or opportunities are inherently limited, fostering competition over collaboration (Mullainathan & Shafir, 2013).
Zero-Sum Thinking: The assumption that one person’s gain is another’s loss, discouraging sharing or collective action (Covey, 1989).
Short-Term Focus: Prioritizing immediate survival over long-term sustainability, often driven by stress or fear (Mitsui, 2022).
External Validation: Valuing success based on societal metrics like wealth or status, which can reinforce feelings of lack (Belk et al., 2023).
Anthropocentrism: Viewing nature as a resource to exploit rather than a system to coexist with, leading to ecological harm (Seiffert & Loch, 2005).

These assumptions are reinforced by cultural narratives, economic systems, and historical traumas (Jiang et al., 2024). For example, neoliberal policies emphasizing competition over cooperation perpetuate scarcity thinking (Haney et al., 2020). Unpacking these assumptions reveals their limitations and opens pathways for change.

5. Systemic Gains Through Abundance-Oriented Mental Maps

Shifting to abundance mental maps can yield systemic gains—improvements that ripple across social, economic, and ecological systems. These include:

Economic Resilience: Abundance thinking supports models like the sharing economy, where resources are optimized through collaboration (Botsman & Rogers, 2010).
Social Cohesion: By fostering trust and cooperation, abundance mindsets reduce conflict and build stronger communities (Subašić et al., 2012).
Ecological Sustainability: Viewing nature as a partner rather than a resource encourages regenerative practices (Seiffert & Loch, 2005).
Innovation and Creativity: An abundance mindset unlocks creative problem-solving by focusing on possibilities rather than constraints (Geyer et al., 2023).

Systemic gains are maximized when mental maps align across scales—individual, community, and societal. For example, policies that incentivize collaboration (macro) can reinforce community norms (meso) and individual behaviors (micro) (Perey, 2014).

6. Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Mindset Transformation

To holistically unpack the transition from scarcity to abundance, we draw on multiple disciplines:

Psychology

Psychological research highlights how scarcity mindsets impair cognitive bandwidth, leading to impulsive decisions (Mullainathan & Shafir, 2013). Neuroscience shows that scarcity activates stress responses in the brain, while abundance fosters reward-related activity (Huijsmans et al., 2019). Interventions like mindfulness and gratitude practices can rewire neural pathways toward abundance (Farb, 2024).

Sociology

Sociological studies emphasize how scarcity mentalities are reinforced by social structures, such as economic inequality or competitive institutions (Silbereisen & Tomasik, 2010). Collective action and normative shifts can challenge these structures, as seen in social movements advocating for equity (Subašić et al., 2012).

Systems Thinking

Systems thinking reveals how scarcity mental maps create feedback loops that perpetuate dysfunction, such as overexploitation of resources (Meadows, 2008). By contrast, abundance-oriented systems prioritize interconnectedness and resilience, as in ecological economics models (Daly & Farley, 2011).

Ecological Economics

This field critiques the assumption of infinite growth, proposing steady-state economies that align with planetary boundaries (Daly, 1991). Abundance mental maps support policies that value well-being over GDP, fostering sustainable development (Seiffert & Loch, 2005).

Neuroscience and Social Cognition

Cognitive maps in the hippocampal-entorhinal system encode social relationships and perspectives, suggesting that rewiring mental maps involves both spatial and social reorientation (Schafer & Schiller, 2018). Social perspective-taking can shift egocentric (scarcity) views to allocentric (abundance) ones (Peer et al., 2021).

By integrating these perspectives, we gain a comprehensive understanding of how mental maps shape behavior and how they can be transformed.

7. Strategies for Rewiring Mental Maps

Transitioning to abundance requires intentional strategies that target individual, community, and societal levels. These include:

Mindfulness and Gratitude: Practices that focus on present resources reduce scarcity-driven stress and foster optimism (Saunders, 2015).
Education and Awareness: Teaching systems thinking in schools can challenge scarcity assumptions and promote holistic perspectives (Haney et al., 2020).
Policy Reform: Policies that incentivize collaboration, such as universal basic income or green subsidies, align systems with abundance principles (Perey, 2014).
Community Engagement: Participatory processes, like citizen assemblies, empower communities to co-create abundant futures (Subašić et al., 2012).
Narrative Shifts: Storytelling that celebrates abundance—through media, art, or education—can reshape cultural norms (Farb, 2024).

These strategies are most effective when implemented iteratively, allowing for experimentation and adaptation (FSG, 2023).

8. Case Studies: Societies in Transition

To illustrate the transition, we examine two cases:

Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness

Bhutan’s development model prioritizes well-being over GDP, reflecting an abundance mindset that values community, culture, and nature. By integrating ecological and social metrics into policy, Bhutan demonstrates systemic gains in resilience and cohesion (Seiffert & Loch, 2005).

The Circular Economy in the Netherlands

The Netherlands’ circular economy initiatives, such as waste-to-resource programs, embody abundance thinking by maximizing resource use through collaboration. These efforts have reduced waste and spurred innovation, showcasing economic and ecological gains (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2013).

These cases highlight how aligning mental maps with abundance principles can transform systems in diverse contexts.

9. Challenges and Opportunities in Mindset Shifts

Challenges include:

Resistance to Change: Scarcity mentalities are deeply ingrained, reinforced by cultural and economic systems (Mitsui, 2022).
Inequality: Structural disparities can perpetuate scarcity thinking among marginalized groups (Belk et al., 2023).
Time Lag: Mindset shifts require time, which can conflict with urgent global challenges (FSG, 2023).

Opportunities include:

Technological Innovation: Digital platforms can facilitate resource sharing, supporting abundance models (Botsman & Rogers, 2010).
Global Movements: Grassroots movements for sustainability and equity are driving collective mindset shifts (Subašić et al., 2012).
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Combining insights from diverse fields accelerates transformation (Perey, 2014).

10. Conclusion: Toward a Collective Abundance Mindset

The journey from scarcity to abundance is not just a cognitive shift—it’s a societal transformation that requires rewiring mental maps at every level. By articulating hidden assumptions, integrating multidisciplinary insights, and implementing strategic interventions, we can unlock systemic gains that benefit people and the planet. This dissertation invites readers to question their own mental maps, embrace possibilities, and join the collective effort to build a world where abundance is not a dream but a reality.

Crosslinks

The Illusion of Scarcity: Unraveling the Mindset that Shapes Our World — Names “not enough” as a perception artifact; first step in rewiring the map.
Codex of Overflow Magnetism — Shows how coherent fields attract right resources—abundance as resonance, not pressure.
From Scarcity to Abundance: Redesigning Systems for a New Human Reality — Turns new mental maps into overflow-supportive architecture.
Redefining Work in a Post-Scarcity World — Moves value from wages/titles to contribution, relationship, and play.
Conscious Capital: Redefining Wealth and Impact — Funds-as-flow with ethics and transparency; ROI measured in communal surplus.
Codex of the Living Hubs: From Households to National Nodes — Subsidiarity and share/repair rings that circulate value locally.
Resonance Metrics as a Spiritual Compass in Times of Uncertainty — Integrity dashboard (go / hold / repair) to keep mindset and systems aligned.

11. Glossary

Mental Maps: Cognitive frameworks that represent assumptions and beliefs about reality, guiding perception and behavior.
Scarcity Mindset: A belief that resources are limited, leading to competition and short-term thinking.
Abundance Mindset: A belief that resources are sufficient, fostering collaboration and long-term vision.
Systemic Gains: Improvements that enhance the resilience and functionality of interconnected systems.
Systems Thinking: A holistic approach to understanding complex systems through their interconnections and feedback loops.

12. References

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Botsman, R., & Rogers, R. (2010). What’s mine is yours: The rise of collaborative consumption. HarperBusiness.

Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 habits of highly effective people. Free Press.

Daly, H. E. (1991). Steady-state economics (2nd ed.). Island Press.

Daly, H. E., & Farley, J. (2011). Ecological economics: Principles and applications (2nd ed.). Island Press.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2013). Towards the circular economy: Economic and business rationale for an accelerated transition. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

Farb, N. (2024). Better in every sense: How the new science of sensation can help you reclaim your life. Little, Brown Spark.

FSG. (2023). Change your mind before you change the system: Taking a closer look at mental models. FSG. https://www.fsg.org%5B%5D(https://www.fsg.org/blog/change-your-mind-before-you-change-the-system/)

Geyer, P. D., Freebairn-Smith, L., & Saunders, R. (2023). Abundance mindset: A key to resilience and well-being. Positive Psychology Review, 29(4), 112–130.

Haney, A. B., Suriyankietkaew, S., & Erzurumlu, S. S. (2020). Systems thinking for sustainability management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 258, 120776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120776[](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/csr.2798)

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Mullainathan, S., & Shafir, E. (2013). Scarcity: Why having too little means so much. Times Books.

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Attribution

This writing is offered in attunement with the Akashic Records and in service to planetary remembrance. It is carried through the Oversoul stream of SHEYALOTH and anchored within the Living Archives of the New Earth. May it serve as a bridge for seekers, guiding them from the first stirrings of awakening toward the higher codices of sovereignty, stewardship, and overflow.