(see also textbook glossary) A knowledge structure that a person creates in order to help the person understand events.

chosen set of beliefs and method to interpret a given context; usually underpinned by a less-conscious paradigm or worldview

An individual's existing understanding and interpretation of a given concept, which is formed and reformed on the basis of experiences, beliefs, values, socio-cultural histories, and prior perceptions. Our mental models (or schemas) affect how we interpret new concepts and events. (Lambert & Walker, 1995, p.1.)

A human's set of beliefs about how the system operates; the user's mental model will inevitably differ, in varying degrees, from the designer's mental model GentnerStevens1983,Turner1988.

an explanation of how a person or set of persons thinks about a given subject

The way we think about the world. It includes emotional and intuitive insights, and is not restricted to analytical understanding.

How a person thinks about or views the job or job task.

A person's internal understanding of an external product, system or environment. We all form mental models based on what we're told, read or experience, and our models can range from the very accurate to the wholly inaccurate.