A mental model is based on belief, not facts: that is, it’s a model of what users know (or think they know) about a system such as your website. –
🔸 What is the mental model of the user?
The mental model of the user is what expectations the user forms around how a product or experience should behave. This mental model is usually formed through the use of similar products or usage patterns or by engaging in similar experiences that help the user form an idea of how things are most likely to work.
🔸 Why are mental models important in interface design?
Understanding users’ mental models are important in interface design because it helps designers empathize with how their audience expects things to work. This gives useful hints for designers to build experiences and interfaces that are intuitive, predictable, and therefore highly usable for their audience.
🌐 Link to Mental Models for Human Experience: