MENTAL MODEL

A mental model is an explanation of how something works. We generate a mental model on the basis of past experience and learning. Our mental models help shape our behaviour and define our approach to solving problems and carrying out tasks.

The value of these models is that they can reduce the need to attend to all inputs. For instance, the experienced aviator, with his/her mental model of the order of information in an RT message and his/her expectation of the potential content, will have far fewer problems understanding the information than a novice. However, in this lies the danger of expectation. For example, if a pilot is regularly cleared to cross a particular runway during operations at a familiar aerodrome, he/she may come to “expect” the clearance. This could cause a potentially dangerous situation if on a particular day, the pilot actually is instructed not to cross the runway in question due to another aircraft landing or taking off.

An inherent danger in this system is that, having built a mental model, we will tend to seek only information that confirms our model (confirmation bias) and ignore other information that may cast doubt on its accuracy.