Mental models are deeply ingrained assumptions and generalizations that influence how people understand the world. They are shaped by experiences and knowledge. The presentation discusses how mental models affect perception and action, and how considering different stakeholders' mental models is important for understanding their diverse perspectives. It provides examples of how two men from Argos may have different views of Athens due to their experiences, and how employees, customers, and other groups related to a company may have varying perspectives influenced by their own mental models.

1. Start the presentation
Open online to Print
Handouts with Transciprts
Click on right arrow below to start the presentation

2. Mental Models
v.2217

3. Page3
Dr. Panos Panagiotakopoulos
Mental Models
Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson you will able to:
• recognize the impact of mental models in our lives
• reflect on your own mental models

4. Page4
Dr. Panos Panagiotakopoulos
Mental Models
Socrates story: The 2 men from Argos
Image Source
• Different people might have
different opinions or perspectives
about the world (both from Argos)
• These opinions or biases were
probably developed from different
lived experiences and other factors
• These pre-existing biases(Argos
experience) affect the way we see
the world (Athens) and possibly how
we act in it.

6. Page5
Dr. Panos Panagiotakopoulos
Mental Models
Mental Models
Mental Models are deeply ingrained
assumptions, generalizations,
or even pictures or images
that influence how we understand
the world
and how we take action.
— P. Senge
”
”
Image Source

7. Page6
Dr. Panos Panagiotakopoulos
Mental Models
Paradigms
Skills
Experiences
Knowledge
Mental Models
You The World
Mental Model
Mental model: just like a pair of glasses, affect how we see the
world and how we act in it
- they are evolving and are affected by skills, knowledge

8. Page7
Dr. Panos Panagiotakopoulos
Mental Models
Mental Models and Stakeholders
Organization /
Business
Employees
Customers
Shareholders
Suppliers
Competitors
Media
NGOs
Local
Community
Government
- Mental module is important when
talking about stakholders
- how Diverse perspective for
employeem supplier
- all of these groups interact with same
company but have diffferent perspective
about the company as a result
- it is important to consider all of these
mental module before designing any
sustinability intititive

9. Page8
Dr. Panos Panagiotakopoulos
Mental Models
Lesson Summary
In this lesson we explored:
• What are mental models
• The effect of mental models on our perception
and action on the world
• the importance of mental models in
understanding the diverse perspectives of
stakeholders