Grasping Mental Models

TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that, in order to grasp mental models, a fruitful strategy involves developing two complementary approaches: one that focuses on how mental models are developed and the other one on their key features when people make use of them to think.

Abstract: Mental models have been approached from a number of different perspectives, from cognitive psychology to philosophy of science and science education. As a result, several definitions have been proposed that emphasise distinct aspects. It has also been suggested that researchers have access to people’s mental models by means of the examination of individuals’ expressed models. We argue that, in order to grasp mental models, a fruitful strategy involves developing two complementary approaches: one that focuses on how mental models are developed and the other one on their key features when people make use of them to think. In particular, we will deal with three basic issues: to what extent can we talk about mental models by examining expressed models? What are the tools individuals make use of in order to build mental models? What are the main features of mental models? Each issue is addressed below, starting from a critical analysis of existing literature so as to suggest and discuss a framework that could help us grasp mental models.