What are mental models?

A mental model is an explanation of how something works. It is an overarching term for any sort of concept, framework, or worldview that you carry around in your mind. Mental models help you understand life by simplifying complex systems into understandable concepts based on your personal experiences and knowledge.

In the context of UX, mental models refer to what users believe about a system, such as a website or application. These models influence how users predict the system will work and guide their interactions with the interface. For example, users might expect that clicking on a shopping cart icon will take them to a review of their selected items, a common mental model based on frequent online shopping experiences.^[1]