How can mental models be described?

Mental models serve as cognitive frameworks that help individuals understand and interpret the world around them. They are deeply rooted in personal experiences and knowledge, allowing people to visualize scenarios, foresee outcomes, and make educated guesses in complex situations. By using mental models, individuals can simplify their understanding of various concepts and predict how changes in one part of a situation might affect the rest. This predictive capability is essential for decision-making, learning, and problem-solving in day-to-day life.

The idea that mental models are merely direct copies of real-world situations is misleading; they are not exact replicas but rather subjective interpretations shaped by one's knowledge and experiences. Additionally, while mental models can aid in memory retrieval, their primary function is broader, encompassing the ability to analyze and predict rather than just recalling past events. Moreover, limiting mental models solely to problem-solving tasks overlooks their versatility and application in a wide array of cognitive activities, including understanding social dynamics, making decisions, and navigating through new environments.