Mental Models: Unlocking the power of effective thinking

Introduction

As an ardent consumer of investment and decision-making content, I have come across numerous articles, books, and podcasts where the concept of mental models is hailed as a favorite among investors and experts in the field. Time and time again, the term would pique my interest, yet I never truly grasped the idea in its entirety. While I managed to piece together a vague understanding based on the contexts in which it was mentioned, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was missing out on a powerful tool for enhancing my ability to think effectively and make good decisions.

Fueled by curiosity and a desire to broaden my thinking tools, I decided to do some research and reading on the world of mental models to arrive at a better understanding of what mental models are and why they are so important. In this article, I share my findings on the importance of mental models, discuss useful examples, and provide tips on how to apply them to improve your thinking and decision-making.

Where does the idea come from?

The investment community's fascination with mental models can be traced in part to Berkshire Hathaway's long-time Vice Chairman Charlie Munger's enthusiasm for them. Munger often attributes his extraordinary investment success to his ability to evaluate investments using multiple "mental models," a concept he famously discussed in a 1994 speech at the USC Business School.

Although Munger popularized the term, mental modeling theory dates back to the early 1940s and has been extensively studied across various fields, including psychology, cognitive science, and system dynamics, in the decades since it was first introduced.

What is a mental model?

The concept of mental models varies across disciplines, leading to a vast and intricate literature on their definition, presence, understanding, and application. An in-depth account of this vast literature is not possible within the space of this article, but worth acknowledging that it exists. Bearing that in mind, what follows a somewhat cursory definition which I've pieced together from a brief review of the literature. Fortunately, at least in my experience, a precise scientific definition isn't necessary for understanding the importance of mental models and how to use them to enhance your thinking.

A cursory definition

Mental models are cognitive constructs that help us understand the world around us and make effective decisions. They are frameworks that simplify complex systems, provide context for new information, and help us process, analyze, and interpret experiences. Mental models can be thought of as mental shortcuts or "rules of thumb" that help us navigate our everyday lives.

Why are they important?

A broad base of mental models improves your ability to think clearly, rationally, and effectively. Mental models do this by:

1. Enhancing problem-solving skills: Mental models enable us to approach problems from different perspectives, identify patterns, and develop innovative solutions. They allow us to break down complex situations into smaller, more manageable parts, making it easier to evaluate options and determine the best course of action.
2. Facilitating better decision-making: Mental models assist in filtering relevant information and minimizing cognitive biases. By incorporating diverse mental models, we can analyze situations more objectively and make informed decisions.
3. Improving learning and retention: By providing a structure to organize and interpret new information, mental models promote better understanding and memory retention. They help us link new experiences to existing knowledge, facilitating faster and more effective learning.

What are some examples of useful mental models?

Some mental models I've found particularly useful include:

1. The Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule): The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 Rule, is a mental model that can be applied across various fields, including business, economics, and time management. The principle posits that 80% of the outcomes are derived from 20% of the causes. In a business context, this may mean that 80% of a company's profits come from 20% of its customers, or 80% of a project's progress can be attributed to 20% of the tasks. By identifying and concentrating on the critical 20% of tasks or inputs, individuals and organizations can maximize their productivity, effectiveness, and resource allocation. The Pareto Principle can also help in prioritizing and streamlining decision-making processes, allowing people to focus on the most significant factors that will yield the most considerable impact.
2. First Principles Thinking: First Principles Thinking is a mental model that involves deconstructing complex problems into their most basic elements and questioning the underlying assumptions. By analyzing a problem from the ground up, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the core principles and develop innovative, creative solutions that are not constrained by conventional wisdom or established practices. This approach can be applied in various fields, including science, technology, and business, to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. First Principles Thinking can help individuals overcome cognitive biases, question the status quo, and identify novel approaches or perspectives that may have been overlooked in traditional problem-solving methods.
3. Circle of Competence: The Circle of Competence is a mental model that emphasizes the importance of focusing on areas where an individual possesses expertise or deep understanding. By acknowledging one's limitations and concentrating on domains within one's circle of competence, individuals can make more informed decisions, minimize the risk of costly mistakes, and increase the likelihood of success. This concept can be applied to investing, career development, and personal growth, among other areas. To expand one's circle of competence, it is essential to engage in continuous learning, skill development, and knowledge acquisition. By understanding and respecting the boundaries of one's circle of competence, individuals can develop self-awareness, avoid overconfidence, and ultimately make better decisions in both personal and professional settings.

How should you apply them?

1. Develop a mental model toolbox: Expose yourself to various mental models across different disciplines to build a diverse cognitive toolkit. Reading books, articles, and attending workshops can help you acquire new models.
2. Choose the right model for the situation: Different mental models are better suited for different situations. Assess the problem at hand and select the appropriate model to guide your thinking and decision-making.
3. Practice using mental models: Apply mental models to everyday situations and challenges to strengthen your understanding and improve your ability to use them effectively.
4. Challenge your assumptions: Regularly question your beliefs and assumptions, and consider alternative perspectives. This helps to reduce cognitive biases and improve the accuracy of your mental models.

Conclusion

Mental models are powerful cognitive tools that can help us make better decisions, solve complex problems, and enhance our learning capabilities. By developing a diverse set of mental models and applying them effectively, we can unlock the full potential of our minds and achieve greater success in both our personal and professional lives.

References

Publications

1. Béland, F., & Cox, R. H. (2021). The Importance of Mental Models in Implementation Science. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 680316.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.680316
2. Jones, N. A., Ross, H., Lynam, T., Perez, P., & Leitch, A. (2011). Mental Models: An Interdisciplinary Synthesis of Theory and Methods. Ecology and Society, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.5751/es-03802-160146
3. World Bank. (2015). Mind, Society, and Behavior. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/content/dam/Worldbank/Publications/WDR/WDR%202015/Chapter-3.pdf
4. Rook, L. (2013), Mental Models: A robust definition, The Learning Organization, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 38-47.https://doi.org/10.1108/09696471311288519
5. Doyle, J.K. and Ford, D.N. (1998), Mental models concepts for system dynamics research. Syst. Dyn. Rev., 14: 3-29. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1727(199821)14:1<3::AID-SDR140>3.0.CO;2-K
6. Groesser, S.N. (2012). Mental Model of Dynamic Systems. In: Seel, N.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_1838

Web

• Clear, J. (n.d.). Mental Models: How to Train Your Brain to Think in New Ways. Retrieved from https://jamesclear.com/mental-models
• Farnam Street. (n.d.). Mental Models. Retrieved from https://fs.blog/mental-models/
• Ness Labs. (n.d.). Mental Models: A Beginner's Guide. Retrieved from https://nesslabs.com/mental-models
• Vikhornova, A. (2018, March 1). What We Can Learn from the History of Systems Thinking. Medium. Retrieved from https://medium.com/systems-thinking-for-non-systems-thinkers/what-we-can-learn-from-the-history-of-systems-thinking-79852d8955c4
• Egan, C. (2021). Mental Models: How Peter Senge's Theory Can Change Your Life. Shortform. Retrieved from https://www.shortform.com/blog/mental-models-peter-senge/
• Weiss, R. J. (2021). Charlie Munger's Mental Models Explained. The Ways to Wealth. Retrieved from https://www.thewaystowealth.com/investing/charlie-munger-mental-models-explained/
• Model Theory. (n.d.). What are Mental Models? Retrieved from https://www.modeltheory.org/about/what-are-mental-models/
• NDSU (2022). The Importance of Mental Models. NDSU Career and Advising Center. Retrieved from https://career-advising.ndsu.edu/blog/2022/11/01/the-importance-of-mental-models/
• McKinsey & Company. (n.d.). The beginning of system dynamics. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/the-beginning-of-system-dynamics#/
• LessWrong. (n.d.). An overview of the mental model theory. Retrieved from https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/YKCoj7DxDMktr4qKP/an-overview-of-the-mental-model-theory
• The Systems Thinker. (n.d.). What are mental models? Retrieved from https://thesystemsthinker.com/what-are-mental-models/