Causal map

A causal map can be defined as a network consisting of links or arcs between nodes or factors, such that a link between C and E means, in some sense, that someone believes or claims C has or had some causal influence on E. This definition could cover diagrams representing causal connections between variables which are measured in a strictly quantitative way and would therefore also include closely related statistical models like Structural Equation Models[1] and Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs).

Systems diagrams and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps [3] also fall under this definition.

Causal maps have been used since the 1970’s by researchers and practitioners in a range of disciplines from management science [4] to ecology,[5]  employing a variety of methods.

The phrase “causal mapping” goes back at least to Robert Axelrod,[7] based in turn on Kelly’s personal construct theory .

[14] The idea of wanting to understand the behaviour of actors in terms of internal ‘maps’ of the word which they carry around with them goes back further, to Kurt Lewin [15] and the field theorists.

Literature on the theory and practice of causal mapping includes a few canonical works[7] as well as book-length interdisciplinary overviews,[17][18] and guides to particular approaches.