The current state of research on user’s mental models of computer systems

Abstract

The term "user's mental model" is most studied in cognitive psychology within the framework of human-computer interaction. The aim of this article is to provide an academic review of classical and modern research focused on exploring the fundamental properties of the user's mental model. This work seeks to systematize knowledge about the theory of user's mental models and its key differences from other cognitive models utilized in the field of cognitive psychology and human-computer interaction. The article discusses the main approaches to identifying user mental models, their advantages and limitations, as well as key directions for fundamental research on this concept.