The Science Behind LEGO Serious Play

Key Principles that Make It Effective

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) has become a popular tool for team-building, creative problem-solving, and strategic planning in businesses, educational institutions, and beyond. Although it may seem like a simple activity involving building with LEGO bricks, the methodology is rooted in well-established psychological, cognitive, and educational theories. These scientific principles are what make LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® such a powerful tool for unlocking creativity, improving communication, and fostering collaboration. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and the key theories that contribute to its success.

Experiential Learning (David Kolb)

Experiential learning is a central concept in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and was popularized by educational psychologist David Kolb. Kolb’s theory emphasizes that people learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process, rather than passively receiving information. According to Kolb, learning is a process of creating meaning from direct experience.

In LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops, participants are engaged in hands-on activities where they physically build models, reflect on their creations, and share their ideas with others. This experiential approach enhances retention and understanding by transforming abstract concepts into tangible, visual forms. Participants are not just listening or observing—they are learning through action, which leads to a deeper understanding of the problem at hand.

Constructivism (Jean Piaget)

Jean Piaget’s theory of constructivism emphasizes that learning occurs through actively constructing knowledge based on experiences. According to Piaget, people build their understanding of the world by interacting with it and making sense of these interactions.

In LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, participants actively construct models that represent their ideas, challenges, and solutions. This hands-on process allows individuals to externalize their abstract thoughts and create new meaning by interacting with the materials. By building and reflecting on their models, participants co-create knowledge, enhancing both individual and group learning.

Constructionism (Seymour Papert)

Seymour Papert’s theory of constructionism builds upon Piaget’s work, emphasizing that learning is most effective when individuals build physical models or representations of their ideas. Papert argued that the act of constructing physical objects helps learners develop deeper understandings and enables them to share and communicate their ideas more effectively.

In LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, the act of building models allows participants to materialize abstract concepts. The physical nature of the models enhances learning by making ideas more concrete and easier to communicate. Participants are able to share and refine their ideas as they create and manipulate these models, fostering a deeper understanding of complex problems and facilitating better collaboration.

Flow (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi)

Flow is a mental state in which a person becomes fully immersed and focused on an activity, experiencing deep enjoyment and engagement. It was coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who observed that people in a flow state are more productive, creative, and engaged.

In LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, flow is fostered through hands-on, immersive activities that require participants to actively engage with the building process. As participants work with LEGO bricks, they encounter challenges that demand problem-solving, creativity, and innovation. The physical nature of building, combined with the clear, goal-oriented tasks, helps maintain focus and concentration. This state of deep engagement encourages participants to become fully absorbed in the process of constructing and sharing their models, leading to enhanced creativity, collaboration, and a sense of accomplishment. Through this immersive experience, participants often experience a heightened state of flow that contributes to productive, innovative outcomes.

Visual Thinking (Rudolf Arnheim)

Visual thinking is the process of using images, diagrams, and physical models to represent ideas and concepts. Research has shown that visualizing information enhances cognitive processing, problem-solving, and decision-making. When people use visual tools to represent abstract ideas, they can more easily see connections and patterns that might not be apparent through words alone.

Rudolf Arnheim, in his influential book Visual Thinking (1969), emphasized that thinking and cognition are deeply connected to visual forms. He argued that people do not just think in words but also in images, and that visual representations can enhance both the thinking process and understanding of complex ideas. Arnheim’s insights into how visual stimuli influence cognition align closely with the principles of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®.

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® leverages the power of visual thinking by encouraging participants to create models using LEGO bricks. These models help people think through problems in a more systematic way and make complex ideas easier to understand. The act of building with LEGO bricks allows participants to manipulate and experiment with ideas in a way that abstract concepts and discussions cannot replicate. This visual, hands-on approach enhances understanding, fosters creativity, and allows participants to externalize and communicate their thoughts, in line with Arnheim’s view that visualizing ideas makes them clearer and more accessible.

Shared Mental Models (Ruth Wageman)

A shared mental model is a collective understanding among individuals within a team or group about how things work, how tasks should be performed, or how problems should be solved. These models shape the way people approach decision-making, problem-solving, and collaboration. The more aligned a team’s mental models are, the more effectively they can communicate, cooperate, and achieve their goals.

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a powerful tool for building and aligning shared mental models. By engaging participants in the process of constructing physical models with LEGO bricks, LSP encourages the visualization of abstract ideas and helps make these ideas tangible. As participants build and explain their models, they share their individual perspectives, clarify their thoughts, and create a common framework for understanding complex concepts.

This process helps bridge gaps in knowledge, ensuring that everyone in the group is on the same page. It fosters clearer communication and reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings. As each participant contributes their own insights and builds their understanding, the group works together to form a shared mental model that reflects their collective knowledge and vision. Ruth Wageman’s research highlights the importance of shared mental models for team performance, as these models align individual and group perspectives, enabling effective collaboration. This shared mental model then becomes a reference point for future discussions, decisions, and actions, enhancing collaboration and improving team performance.

Narrative Psychology (Jerome Bruner)

Storytelling is a powerful tool for communication and engagement, and it plays a crucial role in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®. Narrative psychology, a theory proposed by Jerome Bruner, suggests that humans are naturally inclined to make sense of the world through stories. When we tell stories, we create meaning and connect emotionally with others. Dan P. McAdams further expands this idea through his life story model, emphasizing how individuals construct their identities through the stories they tell about themselves, shaping their personal experiences and understanding.

In LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops, after building their models, participants are encouraged to tell a story about what their model represents. This storytelling aspect makes the experience more engaging and memorable, as it frames ideas within a narrative structure. By sharing their models through storytelling, participants are able to communicate complex ideas in a way that others can easily understand and relate to. Storytelling also fosters empathy, encourages emotional connections, and enhances the impact of the message being conveyed. This narrative approach helps create a shared understanding among participants, making the process more collaborative and effective.

Psychological Safety (Amy Edmondson)

Psychological safety refers to the belief that one will not be penalized or humiliated for making mistakes or offering new ideas. This concept, introduced by Amy Edmondson, is critical for fostering creativity and collaboration in teams.

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® creates a psychologically safe environment by encouraging participants to express their ideas without fear of judgment. The informal nature of building with LEGO bricks and the collaborative atmosphere of the workshop reduce anxiety, making it easier for people to share their thoughts and take risks. This sense of safety allows team members to experiment, brainstorm unconventional ideas, and engage in open communication. When people feel safe to contribute, they are more likely to take the creative risks necessary to solve problems and generate innovative solutions.

The science behind LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is rooted in a variety of psychological, cognitive, and educational theories, including experiential learning, constructivism, constructionism, flow theory, visual thinking, shared models, narrative psychology and psychological safety. These principles work together to create a highly effective method for fostering creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.

By engaging participants in hands-on activities, visual thinking, storytelling, and shared problem-solving, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® creates an environment that promotes deep learning, innovation, and team cohesion. Whether you are looking to solve complex challenges, improve communication, or strengthen your team, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® offers a scientifically backed methodology that can deliver real results.