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Mental model

A compact thinking tool for spotting patterns and avoiding mistakes.

  1. The useful idea

    A mental model is an internal representation of external reality: that is, a way of representing reality within the mind.

  2. How it works

    Such models are hypothesized to play a major role in cognition, reasoning and decision-making.

  3. Why it matters

    The term for this concept was coined in 1943 by Kenneth Craik, who suggested that the mind constructs "small-scale models" of reality that it uses to anticipate events.

Use Mental model as a quick check before trusting your first conclusion.

Use Mental model as a quick check before trusting your first conclusion.

Test your recall

Which idea belongs to the explanation of Mental model?

  • How it works
  • The useful idea — correct
  • Why it matters

A mental model is an internal representation of external reality: that is, a way of representing reality within the mind.

EvergreenLast verified 2026-07-19

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