Blog #5

A user's mental model refers to the internal reference point that he or she uses to understand the function of an application's process. For example, it is the metaphor of using a trash can to delete files on a computer. It is not essential for the user to know how the computer goes about eliminating a file from it's memory, just that putting a file in the trash gets rid of it, just as putting trash in the trash can at home gets rid of it.

A user's mental model with respect to an object's personality and surrounding interactions will be based upon that person's perceptions of similar constructs in reality. For example, if it is a refrigerator, they may expect a similar experience to what they would receive when interacting with a convenience store clerk.

This mental model may contrast with the designer's implementation model, which would be task and hierarchy focused, creating elements of the personality based upon the basic tasks the refrigerator would perform as opposed to some of the conversational elements that a user might expect from a convenience store clerk (or maybe not. Often, clerks aren't all that conversational.)