Changing Mindsets
Changing Mindsets
Mental Models
Senge defines it as "deeply ingrained assumptions, generalizations, or even pictures and images that influence how we understand the world and how we take action". For Van Boven and Thompson mental models are:
cognitive representations of the causal relationships within a system that allow people to understand, predict, and solve problems within that system. Mental models are based on people's experiences and expectations. They can guide behaviour in different situations, organise thoughts about a problem, and influence the interpretation of information.
Mental models affect our thinking and help us make sense of our world. They are simplified internal representations of reality that allow us to interact with the world. They enable thought and action, but also constrain them. They form the basis of reasoning, decision making, and behaviour. Without mental models of the world, decision-making would be difficult, if not impossible. Without shared mental models, it would be impossible in many cases for people to solve collective action problems, create institutions, feel a sense of belonging and solidarity, or even understand one another.