Mental model

In cognition, the term mental model refers to both the semi-permanent tacit ‘maps’ of the world which people hold in their long-term memory, and the short-term perceptions which people build up as part of their everyday reasoning processes. According to some cognitive theorists, changes in short-term everyday mental models accumulating over time, will gradually be reflected in changes in long-term deep-seated beliefs (Senge, et al., 1994: 237). Also see schema.