Mental Model

A mental model is a conceptual representation of how something works. It's an internal, simplified explanation of a system or object that helps people understand and interact with it.

Users form mental models based on their past experiences with similar systems. When they encounter a new system, they apply their existing mental models to predict how it will behave.

Designers can leverage users' existing mental models to create intuitive and easy-to-use interfaces. When a design aligns with a user's mental model, they can learn and use the system more quickly and with fewer errors.

Jakob's Law is a direct application of the concept of mental models, as it emphasizes the importance of consistency with other websites and applications that users are already familiar with.