What is a mental model? Definition and examples

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Imagine trying to navigate a city you’ve never visited before. Without a map or GPS, you’d rely on your internal sense of direction, piecing together landmarks and your sense of the layout to find your way. This mental navigation system is akin to a mental model, a mental representation that helps us make sense of the world. But what is a mental model?

In this blog, we’ll dive into the intriguing world of mental models. We’ll explore the user mental model definition, types of mental models, and mental models examples and how refining them can enhance our decision-making and problem-solving skills. 

User mental model definition

A user mental model refers to the internal representation or cognitive framework that a user has about how a product or system functions. It’s essentially how users perceive and understand the workings of a system based on their experiences, expectations, and interactions.

When users interact with any digital interface, they bring their own mental models to the table. These models are shaped by their previous experiences, knowledge, and expectations about how similar systems should operate.

For example, if you’re accustomed to using a file management system that organizes documents into folders, your mental model will likely lead you to expect similar functionality in other software, such as cloud storage platforms.

Understanding user mental models is crucial for designers and developers because it helps them align a product’s design with users’ expectations and thought processes. When a product matches users’ mental models, it feels intuitive and easy to use. Conversely, a mismatch can lead to confusion, frustration, and errors.

Learn more about user mental model from this video

Mental models examples

To better understand mental models, let’s explore some common examples that illustrate how they influence our interactions with various systems and environments:

Shopping Cart: When shopping online, the concept of a “shopping cart” is a mental model derived from physical retail experiences. Users expect to add items to their cart, review their selections, and proceed to checkout. This model helps users navigate e-commerce sites effectively.

Navigation Menus: Many users have a mental model of websites having a navigation menu at the top or side of the page. This expectation comes from their experience with numerous websites and apps where menus are typically located in these areas, making it easier for them to find and access different sections.

Home Button: In mobile apps and websites, the “Home” button is often represented by a house icon. This mental model, based on the idea of returning to a familiar starting point, helps users quickly navigate back to the main screen or homepage.

Mental model in UX design

A mental model in UX design refers to the internal representation or cognitive framework that users form about how a system or interface works based on their past experiences, knowledge, and expectations. It is essentially how users believe a system should function, which guides their interactions with that system.

Key aspects of mental models in UX design

User expectations

Users bring their mental models into every interaction with a product. These models are shaped by previous experiences with similar products, and they influence how users expect the system to behave. If the product aligns with their mental model, they find it intuitive and easy to use.

Design alignment

A key goal in UX design is to ensure that the interface and interactions match users’ mental models as closely as possible. This alignment makes the product feel natural, which reduces the user’s learning curve and enhances their experience digitally.

Cognitive load reduction

When a design fits users’ mental models, it reduces cognitive load, or the mental effort required to understand and use the product. Users can navigate the interface and complete tasks more efficiently, as they don’t have to figure out how things work constantly.

Error reduction

Mental models help users anticipate what will happen when they take certain actions. A well-designed interface that aligns with these models minimizes errors because users are less likely to make incorrect assumptions about how the system works.

Adaptability

Mental models are not static; they evolve as users gain more experience and learn new information. UX design should support this evolution by being flexible and intuitive enough to accommodate user understanding changes.

Usability testing

Usability testing is crucial for identifying whether a design aligns with users’ mental models. Through testing, designers can observe where users struggle and adjust the design to match their expectations better and improve the overall experience.

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How mental models influence UX design

Navigation and layout

Users typically have mental models about how navigation and layout should be organized based on other websites or apps they’ve used. For instance, they expect a “Home” button to be in the top-left corner or for a shopping cart icon to be easily accessible on an e-commerce site.

Interactions and feedback

Users expect certain interactions to behave in specific ways, such as clicking a button leading to a new page or receiving immediate feedback after submitting a form. When these expectations are met, the experience feels smooth and predictable.

Iconography and symbols

Icons and symbols are interpreted based on mental models. For example, a magnifying glass icon is understood to represent a search function. Using familiar icons helps users understand the interface without reading labels or instructions.

Error messages and recovery

Users have mental models about how errors should be handled. They expect clear error messages that explain what went wrong and how to fix it, as well as options to undo actions if needed.

Types of mental models

Understanding the different types of mental models helps to gain insights into how people perceive and interact with systems and information. Here’s a breakdown of various mental model types:

Simple vs. complex mental models

Simple mental models: These are straightforward and basic representations, often used for understanding and interacting with everyday objects or systems. For instance, the concept of a light switch being on or off is a simple mental model.

Complex mental models: These involve more intricate representations, often needed for understanding multifaceted systems. For example, managing a project with multiple tasks, deadlines, and team members involves a complex mental model.

Descriptive vs. prescriptive mental models

Descriptive mental models: These represent how something works or behaves in reality. For example, a descriptive mental model of a car’s engine explains how it functions based on observed mechanics.

Prescriptive mental models: These guide how things should be done or how to achieve a desired outcome. For instance, a prescriptive mental model might outline steps for troubleshooting a computer issue based on best practices.

Dynamic vs. static mental models

Dynamic mental models: These involve an understanding of systems or processes that change over time. For example, users have a dynamic mental model of stock market behavior, which fluctuates based on various factors.

Static mental models: These are more fixed and unchanging, such as the mental model of how to use a physical book (open it, read it from left to right).

Conceptual vs. procedural mental models

Conceptual mental models: These focus on understanding the underlying concepts and structures of a system. For example, understanding the general concept of how a financial system works involves a conceptual mental model.

Procedural mental models: These focus on the steps or procedures needed to perform a task. For instance, knowing the steps to create a spreadsheet in Excel is a procedural mental model.

Analogical mental models

Analogical mental models: These involve using analogies or comparisons to understand new or complex systems based on familiar ones. For example, understanding how the internet works by comparing it to a network of roads and traffic.

Explanatory mental models

Explanatory mental models: These are used to explain or describe how a system works. An example of an explanatory mental model is to describe gravity as a force that pulls items toward the Earth’s center.

Interactive vs. observational mental models

Interactive mental models: These involve direct interaction with a system, where users form models based on hands-on experience. For example, learning how to use a software application through trial and error.

Observational mental models: These are formed by observing how a system operates without direct interaction. For example, understanding how a vending machine works by watching someone else use it.

Empirical vs. theoretical mental models

Empirical mental models: These are based on real-world experiences and observations. For instance, the mental model of weather patterns is based on personal experiences with different climates.

Theoretical mental models: These are based on theories or abstract concepts that may not always be directly observable. For example, understanding atomic structure based on theoretical physics.

Each type of mental model plays a unique role in how people process information and interact with their environment, and recognizing these types can help in designing more intuitive and effective systems and interfaces.

How to develop and improve mental models

Gather and analyze user feedback

In order to understand how users interact with your system, gather feedback on a regular basis using questionnaires, interviews, and usability testing. Examine these comments for recurring problems and trends, and then apply your findings to modify the design in a way that better fits the mental models of your target audience.

Use personas and scenarios

Create detailed personas that represent different user types and their goals. Develop scenarios that illustrate how these personas would interact with your system in various contexts. This helps in understanding diverse mental models and designing for different user needs.

Map user journeys

Visualize the steps users take when interacting with your system through user journey maps. This helps identify key touchpoints and potential pain points, allowing you to address gaps between users’ mental models and the actual experience.

Educate users

Offer tutorials, guides, and tooltips to help users understand how to use your system effectively. Providing clear educational resources supports users in developing accurate mental models and reinforces correct usage.

Encourage user exploration

Design your system to facilitate exploration and experimentation. Observe how users interact with your system and use these observations to refine and improve the design, ensuring it aligns with users’ mental models and expectations.

Challenges and limitations of mental models

Misalignment with reality

Users’ mental models may not always align with the actual workings of a system. If the system does not meet users’ expectations or understanding, this misalignment may cause confusion and irritation.

Diverse user mental models

Different users have varied mental models based on their experiences and backgrounds. Designing for a broad audience means addressing a range of mental models, which can be challenging and may require balancing diverse needs.

Evolving mental models

Users’ mental models can change over time as they gain new experiences and information. Systems need to adapt to these evolving mental models to remain intuitive and effective, which can be complex to manage.

Over-simplification

Simplifying complex systems to fit users’ mental models can sometimes result in a loss of functionality or important details. Over-simplification may result in a system that is easy to understand but lacks the depth needed for more advanced tasks.

Cultural and contextual differences

Mental models are influenced by cultural and contextual factors, leading to variations in how people interpret and use systems. Designing for diverse cultural contexts requires understanding and integrating these differences to ensure inclusivity and usability.

Conclusion

Understanding mental models is essential for creating intuitive and user-friendly designs. These internal representations shape how users perceive, interact with, and navigate systems, influencing their overall experience.

By aligning your designs with users’ mental models, you can enhance usability and reduce confusion, making your products more accessible and effective.

At Octet, we specialize in leveraging insights into mental models to design user experiences that resonate with your target audience. Our approach includes thorough user research, persona development, and journey mapping to ensure that your products align with users’ expectations and cognitive frameworks.

Whether you’re refining an existing system or developing a new one, we can help you create intuitive designs that meet your users’ needs and enhance their overall experience. 

Frequently asked questions

How do you identify a mental model?

To identify a mental model, observe how users interact with a system and gather feedback through surveys or interviews. Analyze their behaviors, expectations, and understandings to determine the underlying mental model they use.

Why is the mental model important to us?

Mental models are important because they influence how users perceive, interact with, and understand a system. Aligning designs with users’ mental models helps create intuitive and effective experiences, reducing confusion and improving usability.

What is the principle of the mental model?

The principle of the mental model is that people use simplified internal representations to understand and navigate complex systems. These models help users predict outcomes and decide based on their expectations and prior knowledge.