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    Mental Model

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    pangedarelle

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    Mental Model

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    MentalModel

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    Mental Model

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    Mental Model

    in Communication Models, Psychology, Behavioral And Social Science


    Source: https://www.communicationtheory.org/mental-model/

    Introduction

    Mental model is a psychological term which refers to the mental illustrations that explains a person’s thoughts
    and behaviours. The concept first appeared in the book ‘the nature of exploration’ by Kenneth craik in 1943. In
    his book he mentioned that the mind develops mental models or illustrations which serve as reference and
    explanation and for taking the decision in various events of life. Philip Johnson-laird through his study, the
    comprehension of discourse has further explained about the construction of these mental models. He explained
    that people creates mental models as they hear the text. Laird also explained the possibility of construction of
    more than one mental model when the person is subjected to a more abstract verbal
    message. The studies on mental model have opened a new perspective in cognitive psychology for analyzing
    mental process of human beings.

    Mental Model

    Mental model is the representation of a human mind’s thought process. Everything that a person sees is been
    represented as models inside their minds. The mental models are considered as an internal scale for a human
    being for evaluation and for taking decisions. The Internal scales as mentioned by the scientists are ever
    changing and unstable as a human mind is susceptible to change due to adaptation. Even going through a change
    a human being must be able to evaluate and understand the consequences and results of change.

    Mental model provide grounds for reasoning. The models that are made out of a person’s perception and
    imagination which can influence reasoning than coming down to a logical conclusion. Out of all the possible
    assumptions, the mental model represents only the most relevant and true one. The contrary occurs when there is
    an alternative to reality.

    Mental models have been utilized for studying human computer interaction (HCI), where the mental models are
    being utilized to make sense of the complexities that are around the people using computers. When people use
    computers, they build mental models in accordance with the interaction with the system. These models are used
    for interpreting the working of the system. For e.g.- People creates mental models before creating anything. It
    can be complicated machinery or even a simple apple pie. The creator thus creates a mental model which he
    refers to while materializing it.

    Scope

    The concept of mental model can be applied to a variety of fields such as psychology, business, technology etc.
    People utilize these mental models to make sense of the reality. The practical and the theoretical knowledge each
    gained is applied in these models to further understand and to refer about the world they are living. Inventors
    comprehend the mental model of the consumers to understand their demands and needs. And in business, People
    use mental models to do daily purchase more economically.

    Example

    As mentioned above, people refer to the mental models to make decisions and to reason for making the particular
    decision. For instance consider a man is going to a jewellery shop for buying a gift for his wife for their
    anniversary. He will have a particular idea in mind and would have arranged the budget accordingly. But while
    entering the jewellery shop the person was marveled by the array of designs. Then he selects a particular design
    which was far beyond his budget but found attractive. He knew his wife would love it. In this situation the
    person takes decision based on the mental model which is built on understanding and knowledge. He would
    reason his decision by referring to the experiences and understanding which lay foundation for the model that it
    would make his wife happier.

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