How do we think? How do people understand some domain of knowledge? What is the result of perception? How do we anticipate the world, and make sensible decisions about what to do? What underlies thinking and reasoning? (Johnson-Laird, 2004). The answer is simple we rely on mental models. Laird argues that perception and linguistic comprehension yield mental models and thinking and reasoning are the internal manipulations of mental models. According to Jay W. Forrester (1995) everyone uses models constantly. Every person in private and business life instinctively uses models for decision making (Forrester, 1971). Mental models are also described has representations in the mind of real or imaginary situations (Byrne, 2006).
There have been numerous descriptions and definitions formulated by different psychologists in their own words. When it comes to mental models, it is important to mention few influential individuals like Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914), Kenneth Craik (1914–45), Jay Wright Forrester (born July 14, 1918), Phil Johnson-Laird (born 12 October 1936). They conducted extensive research in this domain and inspired researchers like Dedre Gentner, Albert L. Stevens, Kenneth D. Forbus, Micheal McCloskey and so on. Some of them explored to prove the existence of mental models in various domains while others suggested refinement in existing mental model theory.
One of the interesting questions arise from the above discussion is that what is the point of research on mental models? Why to put so much effort on understanding people’s perspective towards real world or a particular domain? Gentner and Stevens have brilliantly answered the questions by giving example of Patrick Hayes’ (1979) extensive study on the behaviour of liquids. It would be helpful in understanding why operators of nuclear plants misinterpret their instruments or to train seamen about how a steam ship works. The better our understanding (models) of the knowledge involved, the better we would be able to simulate, teach and test it (Gentner and Stevens, 1983). Even though mental model played a major role in thinking and reasoning, cognition and decision-making, it is believed they are not the fundamental goal of mental models research. The fundamental concern is to understand human knowledge about the world.
Next up will be detailed history of mental models for in-depth information towards introduction.
Next up will be detailed history of mental models for in-depth information towards introduction.
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