Mental Models Research Paper

We use mental models every day of our lives without even knowing it. In this paper I will attempt to expose how we use mental models in our everyday lives. First, I will present my own interpretation of mental models. After conveying my own definition, I will provide examples from my own life of mental models at work. Mental models are our own personal beliefs and ideas that we have in everyday life. These beliefs and ideas can be conscious or unconscious. A great way of looking at mental models is by using the ladder of inference. The ladder of inference is the process in which our minds progress through situations. For example, how often are we driving in traffic and somebody cuts us off? Immediately we become angry and may even yell a few choice words at the person who cut us off. This is the process of ascending the ladder as our anger builds. We immediately conclude that the person is inconsiderate and reckless, but we don’t necessarily know their story. …show more content…
I was at Menard’s looking to buy some paint and stain for a do it yourself project. I had a question so I navigated to the help area. After I had been waiting in line for assistance for a good while, another customer strolled over to the counter for assistance. I immediately began drawing conclusions and climbing the ladder. I began thinking that the customer was trying to cut me in line, and that they were inconsiderate. Once one of the workers asked the new customer if she needed assistance, the new customer looked to me and told me to go ahead because I was in line first. Once again, I began feeling extremely guilty for assuming the other customer was inconsiderate and rude. I then started to step back down my ladder of inference and realize that the customer was in fact not inconsiderate or rude, but kind. This is another example of how I need to change my mental model to stop assuming the worst in