A7.01
Definition and function of mental models
Cards in this group · 7
- A7.01.1A mental model is a user's internal explanation of how a system works
- A7.01.2A model can be incorrect and still support successful operation
- A7.01.3The model determines a user's expectations and response when something goes wrong
- A7.01.4The core function of a mental model is predicting system behavior for a given action, not memorizing steps
- A7.01.5A sufficiently complete mental model lets a user derive operations they were never taught
- A7.01.6A model's internal consistency and its accuracy are two separate things — a consistent but wrong model still works
- A7.01.7Users lack insight into the accuracy of their own model and rarely question it