10+ Best Articles on Mental Models
The most useful articles on mental models from around the web—beginners to advanced—curated by thought leaders and our community. We focus on timeless pieces and update the list whenever we discover new, must-read articles or videos—make sure to bookmark and revisit this page.
Top 5 Mental Models Articles
At a glance: these are the articles that have been most read, shared, and saved on mental models by Refind users.
What is ...?
New to #mental models? These articles make an excellent introduction.
An Introduction to Mental Models
Discover how the smartest people in the world use a latticework of mental models to make better decisions, avoid problems, and achieve better results.
How to ...?
How to think better
Learn how to think better with a guide on decision-making frameworks, cognitive biases, mental models, and tools for thought.
«metacognitive skills allow people to bring their thought processes to the foreground, so they can be analysed, and potentially improved.»
How to evaluate the validity and reliability of your mental models
Mental models are shortcuts for reasoning. They are a set of ideas and beliefs that we consciously or unconsciously form based on our experiences to shape our representation of how the world works.…
«In scientific research, validity is the extent to which a concept is accurately measured. To put it simply: are we measuring the right thing?»
Short Articles
Short on time? Check out these useful short articles on mental models—all under 10 minutes.
Present bias: how instant gratification impacts your long-term goals
The present bias is our tendency to seize short-term opportunities, settling for a small present reward rather than waiting for a larger future reward.
«staying mindful of your long-term goals so you don’t fall prey to the dangers of instant gratification»
Tit For Tat
Tit for tat is a strategy which, according to game theory, is the most effective choice for iterated games based on mutual cooperation or defection.
«Under tit for tat, a player will begin by cooperating, then in subsequent iterations will replicate whatever their opponent did last time.»
7 Mental Models for Learning
What better way to learn than to learn about learning? These mental models for learning will help you stay curious and progressing.
«The circle of competence is an essential tool to understanding your limitations. Thus, find the best way to learn and improve your knowledge.»
Mental Models to Help You Cut Your Losses
When should you hold 'em and when should you fold 'em? Use this set of decision-making tools to help you identify when it’s time to move on and find the courage to do so.
Inversion: The Crucial Thinking Skill Nobody Ever Taught You
One of the best ways to solve problems in life is to use the mental model of inversion. Read this article to learn how to become a better thinker today.
«Imagine the most important goal or project you are working on right now. Now fast forward six months and assume the project or goal has failed.»
Long Articles
These are some of the most-read long-form articles on mental models.
The Map Is Not the Territory
The map of reality is not reality. Even the best maps are imperfect. That's because they are reductions of what they represent. If a map were to represent the territory with perfect fidelity, it would…
«A model might show you some risks, but not the risks of using it. Moreover, models are built on a finite set of parameters, while reality affords us infinite sources of risks.»
Ten Mental Models for Learning
Ten central ideas to keep in mind whenever you need to learn anything new.
«How much you’re able to learn depends on what you already know. Research finds that the amount of knowledge retained from a text depends on prior knowledge of the topic»
The Pursuit of Worldly Wisdom
Charlie Munger explains how worldly wisdom can help you go further and faster than experts. You don't need to outwork if you can outsmart.
«From each discipline the thoughtful person draws significant mental models, the key ideas that combine to produce a cohesive understanding»
Mental Models I Find Repeatedly Useful
Update: Since this post came out, I co-authored a book about it called Super Thinking. Get notified about book updates here (currently…
«you can learn through coursework, mentorship, or first-hand experience.»
A Lesson on Elementary Worldly Wisdom
Charlie Munger's famous lecture on the art of stock picking as a subdivision of the art of worldly wisdom.
«So occasionally, scaling down and intensifying gives you a big advantage. Bigger is not always better.»
Publications
We monitor hundreds of publications, blogs, newsletters, and news sources in Mental Models, including:
Ness Labs
The learning community for ambitious knowledge workers. Join us to think better, learn faster, and work happier: http://nesslabs.com/membership 🧠✨
Scott Young
My book, ULTRALEARNING, is out now: https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/ultralearning/
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