As a newbie in using mental models, you might find yourself trying to figure out the best criteria that you can use to choose the best mental models. Certainly, there are numerous models out there. What we have discussed in this guide are the best models that you should consider using. Nevertheless, it is important to tip you on the right strategies that you should use when picking models from different disciplines.
Tips to Choose the Right Mental Model
You will be surprised to learn that there are hundreds of mental models out there. However, this doesn’t mean that you should learn all of them. The best mental models will be the ones that you find applicable in your life. This means that your selection process should be based on the applicability of the mental models. If they are not applicable, try to limit yourself to the few that will have an impact in your life.
There are plenty of mental models from different disciplines ranging from Economics, Psychology, Chemistry to Engineering. In the world of economics, for example, you will come across comparative advantage as one of the mental models. Other thinking frameworks that you will find here include economies of scale, supply and demand, diversification, common knowledge, game theory among others. In Psychology, you will find reciprocity, tribalism, status quo bias, loss aversion, anchoring and illusion of control. The point here is that there are numerous mental models from varying disciplines.
So, how do you determine that you are choosing the best model among the many that you will be learning about?
Relevance
One of the most important things that you should consider when choosing the right mental model is its relevance. After reading and understanding what a certain model means, you should ask yourself whether it applies to your life. If the model doesn’t help you in any way, you should consider focusing your attention on what’s most important. Accordingly, strive to compare between different mental models by considering their relevance.
Clarity
When comparing between different models, you will want to settle for a framework that can help you think clearly. For you to achieve this, you have to understand what the framework is all about. If the message is not clear, this might make things worse since you could end up misinterpreting what he model advocates for. Misinterpreting the mental models will affect your critical thinking skills as well as the decisions you will make. The worst thing is that you may end up arguing that mental models are not effective. Consequently, it is vital that you mull over the clarity of the models you intend to choose.
Variety and Conformity
The more mental models you have in your toolbox, the more effective you will be in solving problems and making sound decisions. This demands that you should spend time learning about different models from varying disciplines. When doing this, an important thing to recall is that the models you choose should work harmoniously. For instance, the model you select from the Economics field, should not be in contrary to what another model from Psychology advocates for. The idea here is to prevent yourself from getting confused. If one mental model says this and the other says something else, this could only make it difficult for you to make informed decisions.
To be on the safe side, choose mental models that complement each other. The last thing you need is to waste your time trying to figure out which mental model is preferable.
Know What the Truth Is
It is also critical that you know what the truth is about a particular matter. Knowing the truth will help you discern between realistic models and those that are not. As you go about using different types of mental models, you ought to realize that some models have not been scientifically proven or they have not been widely accepted. So don’t believe anything that comes your way unless you prove with reliable evidence.
