Cognition and Mental Models

Start with cognition

The Cognition flashcards introduce terms including perception, attention, memory and working memory. Start there if you want a set of terms to work through before moving to a larger resource. Try explaining each term in your own words as you study.

The Cognitive Aspects mind map covers attention, perception, memory and learning, alongside reading, speaking, listening, problem solving, planning and reasoning. Use it to see these topics together, then return to the flashcards to check the terms you want to practice.

Explore mental models

The Mental model quiz asks why people create mental models and what benefits they have. It also asks about the Model Human Processor and familiar interfaces. Try it after the introductory resources, and use any questions you find difficult to guide your next choice.

The quiz on mental models, designing system models and the Model Human Processor includes a question about what a mental model represents. The mind map on the Model Human Processor describes the user as an information processor and covers working memory, long-term memory and perceptual processors. Study the map alongside the quiz to connect its terms with the questions.

Connect cognition and interaction

Cognitive Interaction Design introduces interaction basics, types of interaction and a cognitive perspective. Understanding and conceptualizing interaction looks at the problem space, assumptions and usability goals. The mind map on challenging types of mental processing also compares loads, noting that clicking is less of a load than thinking.

These resources form the Cognition and Mental Models section of Human-Computer Interaction and User Interfaces in Computing and ICT (programming, computer science, digital skills, educational technology). Use the maps to organize ideas across the section, then return to a quiz to practice recognizing them in questions. Choose a map and a quiz to work through together.