Mental Models

Following on from our introduction to cognitive bias, we look at mental models which provide a broader frame to reference good decisions against. “They are the modern equivalent of folk wisdom [and] can help you quickly reason against problems that are seemingly intractable” (Defmarco.org)

Mental models also guide your perception and behaviour. They are the thinking tools that you use to understand life, make decisions, and solve problems. Learning a new mental model gives you a new way to see the world — James Clear

You want to use your mental models to expand your capacity to look at problems from different angles — as the saying goes “if you only have a hammer, then everything looks like a nail!” An interesting way to test the dominant mental model of a person is to ask them to draw how you make toast — the variety will be surprising to you especially if you think the way you drew it was the “right way”. Charles Munger — the other half of Berkshire Hathaway — writes and talks extensively on mental models. Another good summary of mental models is from the Farnham st blog.