People understand and interact with the world and their environment based on their previous experiences. We learn by comparing the outcomes of our mental models with feedback from the outside world. There are two types of mental model: system models and interaction models.
System models: mental models of how systems work.
Interaction models: mental models of how people interact with systems.
Source:
Source: Lidwell, William, Kritina Holden, and Jill Butler. Universal Principles of Design. Rockport Publishers, 2010.
Online:
Life:
Source: Entrance Door of Cal State Fullerton Irvine Campus
Mental models are a buzz word in the UX field. Designers use this word to distinguish certain segments of the users they are designing for maybe a little too often. Nevertheless I
liked how you defined mental models into two different types, system models and interaction models. I wish you defined what a system and interaction model was and how they differ from one another. Also one of my favorite ways of describing mental models is Chris Argyris ‘Ladder of Inference’. The ladder of Inference is a good way of describing how small pieces of data move through a series of mental processes to a conclusion. Here is that as an example.
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_91.htm
Amin, this is a great feedback. You are right, I should have explain these concepts further. I think when we all get used to using this “buzz words” on daily bases, it escapes us to actually explain them in details. Avoiding to use jargon should become my habit. I will take these into account when I am working on other assignments.